Scaphoid fractures...

[OrlandoInTheWilderness]

Last March I was kicked my a horse in the wrist. On x-ray nothing was picked up, but it took a long time to heal. I had, and still have, weakened strength especially when grasping or twisting (opening a jar for example). I have a bony lump on the wrist and slowly I've noticed that it is aching more and more.
It has been suggested it was a scaphoid fracture. Does this sound like it might be? Can they do anything about it though, given it is over a year ago!?

Anyone?

I don't have personal experience as such but two of my friends had scaphoid fractures and neither of them showed up on the first x-ray, they both had to go back. One of them was so severe he had to have an operation, this was compounded by him not resting it properly for the first 6 weeks, but until the op spent 9 months in a cast then a wrist support afterwards, so I would say yes, they likely can still do something especially if it's causing you issues.

It’s incredibly common for scaphoid fractures to be missed. Many hospitals have a policy to apply a cast and repeat the x-ray in two weeks. I would contact your GP and ask for advice. It might need another x-ray and orthopaedic consultation.

Just gone on to the surgery page to book an appointment. The bloody econsult thing is telling me I need to seek medical attention (erm..... I'm trying too!!!!!) and to ring 111 or go to urgent care unit! This really isn't a 111 or urgent situation, I just want an appointment with my doctor! Aaaargh!

Some years ago I slipped in the shower, flung my hand out to stop myself and hit my wrist on the edge of the bath. My hand sort of bent back on itself IYSWIM.

I left it for a couple of days but it was still very stiff, achy and swollen. Went to see the GP and she sent me straight to the hospital for an x-ray as she said she suspected a scaphoid fracture. Nothing showed on the x-ray, but I had to wear a wrist support for about a month afterwards to make sure it healed properly. It still aches, especially if I do a lot of typing, and also flares up when the weather changes. Definitely worth getting it checked out.

Can you put ‘sore wrist’ in the system and see if it then let’s you proceed with an appointment?

Or perhaps it’s as you will need an ex ray so there’s no point in getting a gp appointment so it’s giving you correct advice and you should indeed phone 111 and see if they can do the honours.

Yes @Elieza that's what I've put.
I've always thought 111 was for things that were more urgent than a go appointment but not necessarily a&e. This can definitely wait a week or so!!

@MinesaPinot mine clicks a lot and aches pretty much all the time. I also have a lovely looking boney lump on it!
Gorgeous!

I fractured my scaphoid a while back. One Friday night, I was (drunkenly) trying to take my shoes off and I just overbalanced and fell backwards, putting my hand out behind me to catch myself and bent my wrist right back. It hurt like all hell, and I went to a&e on the Monday afternoon where an X-ray showed ‘nothing’ and they didn’t really have much advice other than to rest it.
It still hurt like mad, so I went to the doctor about three weeks later, who sent me to a fracture clinic who looked more closely, gave me an mri etc, and picked the fracture up. I had to wear a wrist splint/brace thing for weeks, I think about six weeks, and it sort of came right. I had a few follow up appointments as they were concerned because apparently a scaphoid fracture can sometimes affect the blood vessels which can cause permanent damage.
Speak to your doctors surgery on Monday and book a phone call, and push the fact it’s seriously not right and that it’s hurting a lot.

Thanks @Ughmaybenot. I'm going to try and get an appointment over the phone. They still insist on going through the same econsult process though which is unhelpful!!

Good plan, and good luck! I work at a GP surgery so I get it’s all a bit frustrating and difficult right now.

It must be on your end too! Is the econsult thing here to stay do you think?

Just a bit! It will be to a degree I think. This whole.. fiasco has highlighted where we can streamline the service, and make it quicker to get to the ‘right’ person iyswim? Certainly for our practice anyway. It’s just that we’re encountering all the teething problems too and it’s at the worst time, with everyone so stressed and worried!

You have my sympathy! I had to speak to have a blood test recently and the poor receptionist was on the end of a lot of moaning people. I did feel for her.

Ah well thank you we do get the more irate patients for sure, and the uncertainty isn’t great, but we also get so many lovely, grateful people who make it all worthwhile!

I've broken mine 3 times now, so it's too mangled to show up on x-rays any more.

It's the classic "put your hand out to save yourself" injury

Hi. Im an A+E nurse. Scaphoid fractures are hard to see on xrays and often dont show at all. We have a policy of if the mechanism of injury and symptoms suggest a scaphoid fracture, we treat it as such despite what the xray may or may not show. You may well have had a scaphoid fracture but it just didnt show. Also, the scaphoid bone itself has terrible blood supply which means healing is often poor. That also means if its missed and no treatment is given, then healing is worse.

Given all this, id make an appointment with your GP. More than likely you'll have an xray and physio. This is NOT an A+E case. Do not go to A+E with this.

Could it be a ganglion cyst? I have one. It's bloody painful. I'm getting surgery to move it. It's a bony lump on the joint.

Can I hijack quickly?
If it's ok?

I'm in a similar situation, uncertain scaphoid break, due back for 3rd set in xrays next week.

But I recieved a letter today, the one they send to your dr and you.

I'll attach it .
But I'm confused about a sentence about a cyst or something??
Could someone more knowledgeable decipher if?

It says they 'could not see the fracture through the cyst which was reported on in the 1st xray'

That means they saw a cyst in the first xray, but cant see if theres a fracture or not so want more images.

@Letsallscreamatthesistene

Ok, it literally means they saw a cyst ?

I wasn't certain because no one had mentioned that at all.
Wondered if cyst l meant something not as obvious!

Thanks

Literally just that! Ideally someone should have explained the xray findings fully. When you next see your Dr/Nurse Practitioner with regards to this ask them about it. I wouldnt have thought its anything to worry about though 🙂

Thanks everyone!
Oh no @Letsallscreamatthesistene (LOVE the username!) I wouldn't dream of a&e for it!! I've survived since last March, I think a bit longer wouldn't hurt!

I fractured my scaphoid falling UP stairs - landed on it awkwardly. Didn't show on my first x ray but the bruise was typical for scaphoid (dh is a GP so I showed it to him). Was in a cast for 2 weeks then was x- rayed again and they saw it so I had 4 more weeks in cast (with a 1 year old - trying not to get poo on the cast was a daily struggle!)

@Letsallscreamatthesistene
The first time I went in, they said xray clear, just soft tissue damage.

Couple of days later, they called me back for more xrays, as they thought they could see something.
Splinted me up and sent me on my way, saying to ring fracture clinic on the Monday afternoon.

The Monday morning they phoned to say more xray needed in 2 weeks. (Appt. Next week)
Then this letter arrived today saying about a cyst too.