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Children's health

DS has broken scaphoid, arm in plaster. Is it likely to be off before we go on Holiday?

9 replies

Milliways · 06/06/2009 10:39

Anyone had a broken hand bone and know how long the cast is on for?

Spent 4 hours in A&E last night and had cast fitted, but appt with Ortho's is not till next Friday.

We go on holiday on 18th July so hoping it will be off by then (his leg was in cast for 9 weeks)! He will be devasted if unable to swim as swims & dives every week!

He is already worrying about not showering every morning!

Is 4 weeks the norm for a hand?

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charlotteolivia · 06/06/2009 10:43

I broke my scaphoid last year.

Has he had a backslab cast or a proper one?
It is can be quite a tricky bone to break. the bone is shaped like a cashew nut, and the blood supply is at one end of the bone, so if it broken all the way through, sometimes the bone can't heal properly.

I had mine on for 5 weeks, and it healed properly.

Bring it up with the Ortho's, they will be able to tell you for definate!

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Milliways · 06/06/2009 10:49

Yes, Thanks. Glad yours has healed well, and kids tend to recover quickly

He has a full cast. The casualty Doc says it is an unusual break and can be problematic, but they got it plastered in a proper scaphoid plaster in day of injury so it sood be good.

5 weeks works! 6 weeks would be pushing it, but obviously we will do what we are told to get a good recovery. Just wanted to warn him if strong liklihood of a longer term cast affecting our hols.

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norksinmywaistband · 06/06/2009 11:02

scaphoids are notorious tricky healers, but the younger the age then generally a quicker healing time. I think you should be aware that you may be off on holidays with a cast, but as long as he follows all advice and the cast is ok there is a chance it could be off.
If there is any cracking/softening of the thumb part of the cast make sure you get it redone asap

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Milliways · 06/06/2009 11:04

Thank you - that's good advice to have

Why does he always have the "Interesting injuries"?? (He had a Bells Palsy at age 4!)

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weegiemum · 06/06/2009 11:06

I broke my scaphoid a few years ago falling up the stairs but didn't realise for 2 weeks! (came up in a huge bruise on my wrist and when it didn't go away I went to the doctor about it.

Mine was in cast 6-7 weeks but that was because I hadn't gone sooner, so hopefuly your ds will be out before the holidays.

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Milliways · 06/06/2009 11:09

Yes! The doc said most are discovered weeks after the event so he was "lucky".

Fingers crossed (but not the plastered ones!)

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charlotteolivia · 06/06/2009 23:07

yes, they sometimes take a while to show up on xrays.

you could always try one of these for your son:

www.betterlifehealthcare.com/view_product.php?prodID=5798

I had one similar (I sail) and if you get a good one, they are waterproof! google for other types

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Milliways · 07/06/2009 07:55

Thank you - I considered one of those when he broke his leg, but that sort of thing could be a life saver if he still has it on holiday. Can you imagine sand in a cast??

I would have to remind him not to try & swim properly though - he is a club swimmer!

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Milliways · 12/06/2009 20:26

Think I had better order a waterproof covering!

Went to the fracture clinic today and they want the plaster on for a minimum 6 weeks, so we go for a review the DAY before we go on holiday!

They did say it would likely come off and may need a removable splint for the holiday.

Ho Hum..