The scaphoid is one of the carpal bones of the wrist. It has a boat-like shape and forms five joints with other bones in the wrist. The scaphoid is the most commonly fractured carpal bone.
Scaphoid Fractures of the Wrist
Scaphoid fractures typically result from a fall onto an outstretched hand or other trauma to the hand. This bone has a poor blood supply, so fractures are at increased risk of not healing properly, a condition known as nonunion.
A hand cast is used to prevent a scaphoid fracture from moving as it heals. If the fracture has moved the scaphoid out of place, surgery is needed to realign and stabilize the broken bone fragments.
During wrist surgery for a scaphoid fracture, an incision is made along the top of the wrist. This allows a surgeon to access the scaphoid bone and insert a screw to hold the bone together.
