What have I done to my hand/ wrist?

[sodastreamer]

I tripped over something earlier at the bottom of the stairs and fell forward, putting my hand out to break my fall against the (carpeted stairs) I didn't twist my hand at all, and I don't feel anything has broken but I suppose the force of my fall must have all been taken by my hand. My hand and wrist immediately felt very weak, as if it had no power in at at all and I couldn't grip anything. It's eased up now- I can use my hand but it feels tingly and achey, particularly when I hold anything. No bruising or outward sign of injury. Any ideas? And should I use a wrist support for a while?

Fractured scaphoid? Typical injury from falls and can take 14 days to show up on X-ray. It's really important to get it diagnosed early because it can get serious if not treated until a year or so down the line.

I slipped and fell a few years ago and thought I'd broken my ankle. It was only when I went to minor injuries (straight from work as I'd slipped in work) did I start to feel my wrist wasn't right and starting to hurt. Turns out my ankle was fine, but I'd fractured my scaphoid. Had to go back a couple of times for X-rays and it took a while to heal 8-10+ weeks I think.

Definitely worth a trip to minor injuries or A&E!

Don't immobilise it unlesa you are told to/need to for a specific task eg driving. It really is use it or lose it #bitterexperience. Seek advice, and if it does need plaster/support DO YOUR PHYSIO

@StuckOnHoliday I haven't heard of that injury before, sounds nasty. I'd better take a trip to minor injuries soon if it's feeling the same

I hadn't either and was really surprised as initially it wasn't that painful, but it did get worse.

Because of circumstances (husband working abroad, toddler and first trimester pregnant 😳) at the time I begged not to have a cast and the doctors put me in a wrist splint. This helped but it meant writing was practically impossible and I couldn't really use a computer. Luckily mine was caught straight away but I know of two other people who didn't bother getting checked and their scaphoid bone crumbled away at one end. Something to do with the blood supply to the bone I think...

The nurse was really keen to X-ray just in case and I'm so glad she did!