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What Is A Scaphoid Fracture?

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The scaphoid bone is a small but vital bone in the wrist

If you’re wondering “what is a Scaphoid Fracture”, you’re in the right place. If you’ve suffered from a fracture and you’re considering whether you may be eligible to make a claim, this guide has it covered.

Oliver & Co Solicitors specialise in personal injury compensation claims, using their experience with fracture‑related cases to guide clients through the evidence, valuation and recovery considerations involved in scaphoid injuries.

What's a Scaphoid Fracture?

The scaphoid bone is a small but vital bone in the wrist, crucial for wrist function and movement. If injured, it can lead to significant and permanent damage, especially if the fracture is not diagnosed or treated in a timely manner. An x-ray and thorough clinical examination of the wrist are essential in diagnosing a scaphoid fracture. Typical initial treatment involves putting the wrist in plaster to for several weeks.

Scaphoid fractures can be difficult to diagnose initially after injury, even with an x-ray. If such a fracture is suspected then a follow-up appointment should be carried out in the next 2-3 weeks and the wrist should be put in plaster or a splint in the interim. The longer a scaphoid fracture is left without appropriate treatment the more likely the damage will be permanent and recovery will be prolonged, meaning that patients are suffering more pain that necessary. Should the scaphoid bone not heal, then surgical treatment may be necessary.

How to diagnose a fractured scaphoid?

Symptoms of a scaphoid fracture include pain, swelling and wrist stiffness and some patients may think that they have merely sprained their wrist. X-rays are usually helpful in diagnosing the fracture, but it is possible for a scaphoid fracture to be missed on the first x-ray.

Therefore, if a scaphoid fracture is suspected, a follow-up x-ray should be carried out 10 to 14 days later and the wrist should be immobilised with a splint on plaster in the meantime. A bone scan, CT scan or MRI scan can also be helpful in diagnosing the fracture.
Treatment of a scaphoid fracture

Typical treatment of a scaphoid fracture is to place the wrist in plaster for approximately 6 weeks. If this is unsuccessful or if the injury is not treated quickly enough at the outset, then further treatment is likely to be required which could include an operation to insert screws and a bone graft.

Scaphoid fracture compensation claims

Please contact us for advice if you feel you may have a scaphoid fracture compensation claim, or have suffered any form of clinical negligence. Please note that there are strict time limits in place for making a claim for compensation, but our solicitors will be able to advise you specifically on the facts of your own case.

How can we help with Scaphoid fracture compensation claims?

Our team of specialised medical negligence solicitors would be happy to help by quickly and efficiently assessing any areas of potential negligence for a wide range of claims.

Should you wish to have a free and confidential chat in relation to a potential scaphoid fracture claim, give our team of specialist clinical negligence solicitors a call on 01244 354688.