![]() You and your hand surgeon can discuss which treatment is best for you. Treatment without surgery can include use of a brace, anti-inflammatory medication or a cortisone shot for pain relief. Usually, surgery is needed to clean out the fracture site, to potentially place some form of bone graft to help bone healing, and to stabilize the fracture with pins or screws. The goals of treatment are to relieve pain, maximize function and prevent arthritis. Treatment of a scaphoid non-union fracture depends on many factors, including: It may be a sign that your fracture is not healing if you notice decreased strength, such as inability to do push-ups. If the scaphoid fracture is not healing, you may or may not continue to have symptoms. A fracture that is healing more slowly than expected is a “delayed union” fracture. Scaphoid Non-Union FracturesĪ scaphoid non-union fracture refers to a wrist fracture that is failing to heal. This might include the insertion of a screw or pins (Figure 3). If the fracture is in a certain part of the bone or if the fracture is at all displaced (bone ends have shifted), surgery might be the best option. Although the fracture may heal in as little as six weeks, it may take longer for some patients. ![]() If the scaphoid fracture is non-displaced (bone has not moved out of place at the fracture), it usually can be successfully treated with a cast. Because blood supply is needed to heal a fracture, the scaphoid often takes a long time (a few months) to heal. If the scaphoid is broken, the few tiny blood vessels that supply the bone with nutrients can be damaged. Sometimes, a CT scan and/or MRI is used to get better views of the shape and alignment of the scaphoid and assist with the diagnosis or surgery plans. If pain persists, a follow-up exam and x-ray in a week or two can be used to diagnose. If you are tender directly over the scaphoid bone (which is located in the hollow at the thumb side of the wrist as shown in Figure 2), your healthcare provider might recommend wearing a splint to be safe. A break in the bone that cannot be seen on x-ray yet is called an “occult” fracture. However, x-rays do not always show scaphoid fractures. Visit a hand surgeon as soon as possible if you think you might have fractured your wrist.Ī scaphoid fracture is usually diagnosed by an x-ray of the wrist. ![]() Unfortunately, delaying treatment can cause problems. Because there is no visible deformity and no difficulty with motion, many people with this injury assume that it is a wrist sprain. Most people with a scaphoid fracture (which is the same as a broken wrist) will have pain and/or swelling along the thumb side of the wrist within days following a fall. ![]()
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