Scaphoid fracture or sprain?!
Question: Scaphoid fracture or sprain!?
I fell hiking last week and landed hard on my left hand!. I saw my doctor on Tuesday!. He took xrays and said he saw what looked like it could be a small break!. He gave me a splint and I am having an MRI in 2 weeks!. However, while there is swelling and tenderness near the "heel" of my palm, there is only aching at other times, in various parts of my wrist and only mild pain when gripping something!. If I leave my hand "down" (like at my side) too long it gets cold, swollen and uncomfortable!. Holding it up makes it feel better!. Thoughts!?Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
At different ages, a fall on to your hand can cause fractures in different bones!. As a young adult, the Scaphoid bone is the most likely bone to fracture in such a fall!. Pain on direct palpation of the anatomic snuff box is usually the best clinical indication of such a fracture!. This is a triangular area at the base of your thumb on the back of your hand!. Bordered by extensor longus tendon of the thumb, the thenar eminence (the heel of the thumb) and the crease of you wrist!. (basically where you put the salt for a tequila shot)
The fracture is usually a compression fracture and difficult to see on most xrays!. MRI is a better modality for this!.
The treatment should be a thumb spica cast and RICE!. (rest ice compression elevation)Www@Answer-Health@Com
The fracture is usually a compression fracture and difficult to see on most xrays!. MRI is a better modality for this!.
The treatment should be a thumb spica cast and RICE!. (rest ice compression elevation)Www@Answer-Health@Com