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Quennell Hand & Wrist 01632 960 718 Book
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Where it is: Thumb side of the wrist

Scaphoid fracture

Also called: a broken wrist bone

The scaphoid is a small curved bone at the thumb side of the wrist. It breaks in falls onto an outstretched hand, often in sport, and it can hide on a first X-ray.

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A drawing of a left hand and wrist, palm up, with the bones and joints shown faintly beneath the skin, and a small detail drawing of the elbow. A violet surgical marker dot sits on the base of the thumb.
Plate 1 Thumb side of the wrist

What it feels like

  • Pain in the hollow below the thumb after a fall
  • A wrist that feels sprained but does not settle
  • Weak or painful pinch and grip

What we look for

We press on the scaphoid from three directions, then image it the same day: X-ray first and a scan if the X-ray is unclear.

What usually helps

  1. A cast or splint for a break that has not moved
  2. A small screw, inserted in day surgery, for one that has moved or is slow to heal
  3. Hand therapy to bring back movement once it has joined

A typical recovery

  1. Weeks 1 to 6Cast or splint, fingers kept moving
  2. Week 8Imaging to confirm it has joined
  3. Week 12Back to sport for most people

Illustrative timeline, not a promise: every hand heals at its own pace.