Scaphoid (wrist) fracture

[JGads]

Hi all, I’m just curious if there are people here who have had experience with this aside from the very few posts or threads I found. I fractured the scaphoid in my right wrist, as well as both radial head sections of the elbow, bracing a fall. The elbow should heal and the scaphoid is also without dislocation so far but I have yet to find out how the scaphoid is healing or exactly where it was fractured which will determine whether surgery is needed or not. But with surgery or without surgery, I am quite frightened of the road ahead considering tennis is my love and hobby and some of the experiences I’ve read about of scaphoid injuries leading to lifelong problems with arthritis, or a lack of range of motion, etc.

So from a tennis player’s perspective, I’m curious if anyone here can talk about their experience positive or negative or have any advice learned along the way. Cheers.

 

[ollinger]

I fractured my scaphoid in my early 20s (left hand, happily) and it is not an injury to be trifled with as faulty healing can lead to something called aseptic necrosis of the bone, as dire as it sounds. I spent six weeks with the wrist in a cast and things went well, though there could be some mild pain for months, sometimes nearly a year. Follow the instructions of your orthopedist to the letter and things will likely be fine.

 

[EggSalad]

Hi all, I’m just curious if there are people here who have had experience with this aside from the very few posts or threads I found. I fractured the scaphoid in my right wrist, as well as both radial head sections of the elbow, bracing a fall. The elbow should heal and the scaphoid is also without dislocation so far but I have yet to find out how the scaphoid is healing or exactly where it was fractured which will determine whether surgery is needed or not. But with surgery or without surgery, I am quite frightened of the road ahead considering tennis is my love and hobby and some of the experiences I’ve read about of scaphoid injuries leading to lifelong problems with arthritis, or a lack of range of motion, etc.

So from a tennis player’s perspective, I’m curious if anyone here can talk about their experience positive or negative or have any advice learned along the way. Cheers.

I hate that this happened to you.

In my late 20s, I broke my right wrist bracing a fall while playing basketball. I ended up having to have a screw put in to hold the bone together.

I forget how long I was in a cast/brace, maybe 4-6 weeks? I have pretty significant atrophy during that time and loss of strength.

Once I was cleared, I had weekly PT and that helped a ton. They really cranked my wrist around (hurt like hell) but it broke up the scar tissue and my ROM came back. I also worked hard on strength and that is back to normal.

Granted, I’m in my mid 40s now. I don’t recall exactly how long it took to get back to feeling normal since this was 16+ years ago.

I know I didn’t love PT because it was really hard and my wrist was weak and had no ROM. But PT is what got me back. So pour yourself into PT and I think you’ll be fine.

 

[JGads]

I hate that this happened to you.

In my late 20s, I broke my right wrist bracing a fall while playing basketball. I ended up having to have a screw put in to hold the bone together.

I forget how long I was in a cast/brace, maybe 4-6 weeks? I have pretty significant atrophy during that time and loss of strength.

Once I was cleared, I had weekly PT and that helped a ton. They really cranked my wrist around (hurt like hell) but it broke up the scar tissue and my ROM came back. I also worked hard on strength and that is back to normal.

Granted, I’m in my mid 40s now. I don’t recall exactly how long it took to get back to feeling normal since this was 16+ years ago.

I know I didn’t love PT because it was really hard and my wrist was weak and had no ROM. But PT is what got me back. So pour yourself into PT and I think you’ll be fine.

thanks man. I’m even considering going to two different physiotherapist to get as many ideas as possible at least initially right now I’m still waiting on the big news as to whether surgery will be needed or if this thing looks like it will be healing on itself. I’m hoping so much to stay away from the knife, but we will see. I’m doing all I can for the moment with diet and random therapies like magnetic field and next week ultrasound, both of which probably will do nothing but even if they can improve the bone by one percent I’ll take it.

 

[JGads]

I fractured my scaphoid in my early 20s (left hand, happily) and it is not an injury to be trifled with as faulty healing can lead to something called aseptic necrosis of the bone, as dire as it sounds. I spent six weeks with the wrist in a cast and things went well, though there could be some mild pain for months, sometimes nearly a year. Follow the instructions of your orthopedist to the letter and things will likely be fine.

Do you remember where your fracture was located? The waist, etc.?

 

[ollinger]

Do you remember where your fracture was located? The waist, etc.?

no