Suspected scaphoid fracture

They suspect that you may have a fracture (broken bone) in a small bone called the scaphoid, which is in the wrist around the bottom of your thumb.  The splint you have been given to wear is to stabilise and support this bone until a fracture is confirmed.  You should wear this splint at all times but may take it off for a short period to bathe or shower.

Not wearing the splint can prevent the bone healing, which can cause long term pain and sometimes disability in the wrist.

You will be given an appointment for the hand clinic 10-14 days after the injury. You should wear your splint everyday as instructed until you have been to the hand clinic to have the break confirmed.  The specialists in the clinic will advise you on what to do next for the injury.

Being given this treatment does not mean that there is a definite fracture/break in the bone, but that a fracture is suspected.