Fractured scaphoid - how long to heal?

[Mobile Chicane]

Anyone had this?

I'm unable to drive at the moment and need an idea of how long that's likely to be the case.

Thanks.

[Mobile Chicane]

Cotty said:

Bin bags are handy to tape to your arm so you can shower without getting it wet.

I fell over when pissed, you?

Yeah, something like that.

The X-rays don't show anything, however the (sadly unfanciable) but car nut Italian doctor I saw today says he's 100% sure the scaphoid is broken.

Drat.

[Mobile Chicane]

mobi said:

Most bones heal in about 6 weeks, once you come out of plaster your wrist and thumb will be stiff and may need physiotherapy. Some scaphoid fractures have delayed union (takes longer than normal to heal) or even fail to heal requiring surgery at a later date.

Please remember there is a high possibility that you won't be insured to drive if you have a plaster cast insitu or even with the knowledge of a broken bone in your hand.

Thanks.

[Mobile Chicane]

mobi said:

Mobile Chicane said:

The X-rays don't show anything, however the (sadly unfanciable) but car nut Italian doctor I saw today says he's 100% sure the scaphoid is broken.

Drat.

What's the plan? Are you currently in plaster/ splint?

Splint with appointment at Fracture Clinic in 10 days time. What 'should' be happening? Sorry to pester but I've no idea.

[Mobile Chicane]

mobi said:

Mobile Chicane said:

Splint with appointment at Fracture Clinic in 10 days time. What 'should' be happening? Sorry to pester but I've no idea.

That's the normal follow up plan for a possible fractured scaphoid. They will reassess you and then if still painful over the scaphoid they will rexray you. Scaphoids fractures don't always show up clearly on an initial xray but in 10 days they will normally show up where the bone is healing.

If the bone is fractured you will be put into a scaphoid plaster which will remain insitu for approx 6 weeks. Make sure you wear the splint whenever you have been told to, scaphoid fractures can be quite problematic in the long term.

Thanks. However I've been told to take the splint (Promedics) off at night. Is this for real?

Apparently it's a new type of splint which A&E aren't familiar with and have no idea how to put on, however I'd say I've achieved a greater degree of stability to the thumb than they have.

Problem?

[Mobile Chicane]

mobi said:

Taking the splint off at night is correct, the splint is really more for support than anything, which in turn aids pain relief. The problem with the splints is that they are quite stiff when taken out of the packaging, as time goes on they soften up a little and are easier to get a comfortable fit.

Thank you.

(You're not kidding about the pain relief.)

Edited by Mobile Chicane on Tuesday 3rd August 00:58

[Mobile Chicane]

Aargh!

Update: the scaphoid isn't fractured - or at least an immediate X-ray plus another 10 days later showed no sign of it - the current diagnosis is a bad sprain. Six weeks on it is much, much better, the bruising has gone and I can drive (with a splint on).

However I still don't have the full range of movement in my thumb, and there is a hard swollen area approximately over where the scaphoid is.

Could this be a dislocation? Or just bruising deep in the joint restricting movement and causing swelling? Would a dislocation be evident on the X-rays, even if the Drs weren't specifically looking for this?

Any advice would be much appreciated, since I'd rather not have to go back and bother A&E unnecessarily.

Thanks.

[NB: Since it had improved greatly in a month, I unfortunately discharged myself from the 'follow-up' system thinking the problem had been solved. To 'get back in' will involve seeing my GP - a tortuous process.]

[Mobile Chicane]

Thanks for the tips. I left the splint off today and it seems to have eased up a bit.