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Fracture, Scaphoid, Sports Medicine

Jason A. Krystofiak, MD Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Most commonly fractured carpal bone

  • Fractures occur in three anatomic sections: proximal, waist, and distal.

  • Mechanism of injury is normally a fall onto an outstretched hand.

  • Proximal p...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Patients report falling on an outstretched hand or a forced wrist extension.

  • Pain and swelling at the radial wrist near the 1st metacarpal base

  • Characterized as a deep and dull pain mad...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

Scaphoid fractures or suspected fractures with negative radiographs 3[C]: 
  • Immobilize in a thumb spica

  • Sling for comfort

  • Ice and elevation

MEDICATION

  • Tylenol or nonsteroidal anti-...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Nondisplaced waist or distal pole fractures can be managed closely by a primary care physician.

  • Refer patients with displaced fractures and proximal pole fractures...

REFERENCES

1
Winston MJ, Weiland AJ. Scaphoid fractures in the athlete. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med.  2017;10(1):38–44.
2
Fowler JR, Hughes TB. Scaphoid fractures. Clin Sports Med.  2015;34(1):3...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Ram AN, Chung KC. Evidence-based management of acute nondisplaced scaphoid waist fractures. J Hand Surg Am.  2009;34(4):735–738.

  • Shehab R, Mirabelli MH. Evaluation and diagnosis...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • A scaphoid fracture is unlikely in the absence of tenderness in the anatomic snuffbox and at the scaphoid tubercle.

  • High-demand athletes may do better with early surgical fixation of ev...

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