Possible Scaphoid Fracture

[jo1234jo]

Hello,

looking for advice. 12 days ago, I fell awkwardly and thought I sprained my wrist. I went to minor injuries who told me it was a possible scaphoid fracture, and I had to wait 12 for another xray to confirm.

I went for another xray yesterday along with an MRI scan. Consultant wasn’t too concerned it was broken and to be honest pain is better. When I asked when I would get results he just shrugged.

I called the clinic today and they’ve said someone would call me within 6 weeks. I asked what am I meant to do in the meantime and they said to carry on with the splint and not to drive. I said the splint was falling apart and they told me to tape it.

I totally get it takes as long as it takes but six weeks for a fracture seems a long time before it is casted, if it does need a cast. I also asked if I waited six weeks to be told it’s a fracture would it still be put in a cast and they couldn’t tell me. I’m also not sure what to do with the splint, it’s falling apart and won’t last another six weeks but I don’t want to buy one if they are going to call me in a week and tell me not to bother.

I know it’s a different bone to diagnose

has anyone had this before and had to wait six weeks to find out if a bone is fractured?

Thanks in advance.

I had this possible fracture before and it was literally xrayed there and then. It wasn’t fractured though. Can you go elsewhere?

I've fractured my left scaphoid twice, first time the cast it, but the second time, in a different hospital they gave me a splint to wear. Tenderness in the anatomical snuff box is the indication of a possible scaphoid fracture, both times I did mine I fairly yelped when they squeezed that spot.

I had to have mine pinned when I broke mine. They diagnosed it straight away and had the operation a week later.

I also had a scaphoid fracture - it was plastered at first with one of those heavy plasters then I went back 8 weeks later had it cut off and re scanned - it had to be plastered again (but a lighter one, still plaster) - returned after 4 weeks for x ray and had to be plastered Again 😖 went back after another 4 weeks where my wrist was finally freed and I had a very pale and skinny forearm. Still causes me issues but apparently they are notoriously difficult to heal

That’s absolutely shite service. I would go to an and e at a different hospital.

Thanks all.

I’m not in horrendous pain anymore and even consultant wasn’t concerned but said to get MRI to confirm for sure, but six weeks? I can’t go elsewhere because nearest A&E is an hour away and I can’t drive whilst in the splint.

I just can’t see how it will heal if it is broken in a splint and after waiting six weeks.

Noone can tell me anything other than it I will receive a call in six weeks. I’m so frustrated and it has really gotten me down. I know it’s not life or death but would rather get a plaster if it’s broke sooner or later.

i don’t like knocking the NHS they saved my life during childbirth but I’m so frustrated that it could be six weeks before I even know if it’s broken

@jo1234joyou need to be scanned - if it’s broken/fractured you should have it plastered, be under the fracture clinic and then you’ll have physio after. Surely leaving it 6 weeks will prolong any kind of recovery. I agree - it’s shite service

I have had two xrays and a MRI scan but the fracture clinic have told me I won’t get results for six weeks!

@jo1234joooh I’m so sorry, was quite clearly past my bedtime and incapable of reading.

Hopefully it’s like the time frames when you get bloods “results will be with gp next week” but if there’s an issue they contact you.

I've fractured my right one twice. First time I had it wired immediately and was in a variety of casts over the following weeks as the swelling reduced. Second time it took a while to confirm and I had a follow up X-ray after a week. That time I had a splint and a sling. TBH the splint seemed much more supportive than the cast, and I felt that it healed more effectively despite it being a second fracture in the same place. It's now my weather prediction device (it aches before and during rain), but otherwise has healed well. Good luck in getting yours sorted.

I've had this. I'd only been on holiday for 20 minutes - let's go to the beach! Promptly fell over!
UK based so I was seen in Portsmouth A&E and xrayed, confirmed scaphoid.
Came home Xrayed, the same.

I ended up buying my own splint as they don't last and they get really bad with germs and sweating.

Mine was off after 12 weeks I think. It was a long time ago.

You shouldn't be driving, splint or not as I'm assuming any insurance will be invalidated. It is a fracture, very common but such a tiny bone that - to me anyway, I felt fine after about 6 weeks.

Thank you, if it’s a fracture I completely get that I’ll be in a splint or cast but I’m annoyed because the hospital won’t tell me if it’s fractured or not, even after an MRI. I’ve been told to wait six weeks for results. So for six weeks it could not be a fracture but I can’t work or drive. They won’t even give me a fit note told me to ring GP

@jo1234jo can anyone drive you to another A&E or can you get public transport? I’m really surprised they didn’t xray it there and then. Is there a chance you can ring 111 in case they know of a minor injuries unit with the facilities to scan you?

Hello,

Ive been to minor injuries and fracture clinic. I’ve had two X-rays and an MRI. The results won’t be with me for six weeks. That’s why I am frustrated because they won’t provide results for six weeks. Even if it’s broken.

I bet someone's just got the wrong end of the stick with the 6-weeks advice. Pretty sure the surgeons will be looking at it before then and if anything needs doing you'll hear sooner.

I really hope so because if it’s broken or fractured I really don’t want to leave it for six weeks but also can’t work or drive until I get the ok.

I will contact PALS to ask for their support. Explain how you’re being left in limbo without any answers for up to 6 weeks and still don’t know if there is a fracture or not.

An MRI report should be available to the surgeon long before 6 weeks so it’s almost as if they’re assuming it’s broken whether it is or not, and decided the only treatment is immobilisation in the splint.