Injury of the week...

Scaphoid fracture

 

The scaphoid is a bone in the hand near the base of the thumb, as you can see below. Make a "thumbs up" and the scaphoid is right at the base of the hollow area.

A scaphoid fracture is usually caused when an individual falls on their outstretched hand with the weight landing on the palm.

Signs and symptoms of this fracture include pain and swelling at the base of the thumb. It might not be obvious the bone is fractured because there usually is not a visible deformity.

Physical therapy is a treatment option for scaphoid fractures. Patients would learn exercises to maintain range of motion at their wrist and fingers and strengthen muscles in the hand.

One great exercise is with a rubber band. For this exercise, you wrap a rubber band around all the fingers; then you open your hand making a bigger circle. After, slowly close your hand again making sure to control the motion.