Our Summary

An 11-year-old boy who is a gymnast started feeling pain in his right wrist while performing handstands, even though he hadn’t experienced any major injuries. Doctors took an X-ray and noticed a broken bone in his wrist. They also used an MRI, which confirmed the break and showed it was in the middle of a bone that was still forming (ossification center). Fortunately, the cartilage around the bone was not injured. Doctors diagnosed him with a stress fracture, meaning the break happened due to repeated strain and not a single, traumatic event. The boy was treated without needing surgery and his treatment was successful.

FAQs

  1. What is a scaphoid fracture and how is it diagnosed?
  2. How can a scaphoid fracture be treated conservatively?
  3. Can a scaphoid fracture occur in gymnasts without any major traumas?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about scaphoid fracture surgery is to follow the post-operative rehabilitation plan closely. This may include wearing a splint or cast, doing physical therapy exercises, and attending follow-up appointments to monitor healing progress. It is important to communicate any pain or discomfort to your healthcare provider and to avoid putting excessive strain on the wrist during the recovery period. Following these recommendations can help ensure a successful outcome and reduce the risk of complications.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended scaphoid fracture surgery include those with displaced fractures, fractures that do not heal with conservative treatment, fractures that are at risk of nonunion or avascular necrosis, and fractures that are causing significant pain or dysfunction. Additionally, patients with certain occupations or activities that put increased stress on the wrist, such as athletes or manual laborers, may also be candidates for surgery to ensure proper healing and prevent long-term complications.

Timeline

  • Patient experiences right wrist pain while performing handstands
  • Patient undergoes radiograph which shows displaced scaphoid fracture
  • MRI reveals low intensity at the middle of the ossification center of the scaphoid
  • Patient diagnosed with stress fracture of the ossification center of the scaphoid
  • Patient undergoes conservative treatment
  • Patient experiences recovery and rehabilitation after surgery, including physical therapy and follow-up appointments.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about scaphoid fracture surgery may include:

  1. What are the risks and potential complications associated with scaphoid fracture surgery?
  2. What type of surgery is recommended for my specific scaphoid fracture?
  3. How long is the recovery period after scaphoid fracture surgery?
  4. Will I need physical therapy after surgery, and if so, for how long?
  5. What are the success rates of scaphoid fracture surgery?
  6. Will I need any special equipment or assistive devices after surgery?
  7. What type of anesthesia will be used during the surgery?
  8. How soon after surgery can I return to normal activities, such as sports or work?
  9. What kind of follow-up care will be needed after surgery?
  10. Are there any alternative treatments to surgery that could be considered for my scaphoid fracture?

Reference

Authors: Fujioka H, Nishikawa T, Takagi Y, Oi T, Yoshiya S. Journal: J Hand Surg Asian Pac Vol. 2019 Sep;24(3):386-388. doi: 10.1142/S2424835519720172. PMID: 31438787