Information for Consumers - Scaphoid Fracture (Suspected)

This article tells you about suspected scaphoid fracture, including what imaging tests you may need to have.

What is a scaphoid fracture?

A scaphoid fracture is when the scaphoid bone, which is your wrist, breaks. Scaphoid fractures are usually caused by falling with your arm stretched out and onto your hand. Fractures are one cause of wrist pain.

Diagnosis

If your doctor thinks you may have a scaphoid fracture, he/she will usually request plain x-rays for diagnosis. If the x-rays are positive your doctor will start treatment. If the x-rays are negative, your doctor may request a CT scan, MRI scan, nuclear medicine bone scan or a repeat x-ray a week or so after the injury. This will help the doctor to decide what is causing your wrist pain and what type of treatment you need.

Results

A radiology doctor will look at your scans and write a report for your doctor.

Further information

For more detailed information, please access InsideRadiology at: www.insideradiology.com.au

This is a resource produced especially for consumers by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists: www.ranzcr.edu.au

A guide to gathering information that you may need for making informed decisions is published by the Consumers' Health Council of Australia at: https://chf.org.au

If you would like to look at other relevant articles, please access the following:

Or access the Diagnostic Imaging Pathways website at: radiologyacrossborders.org/diagnostic_imaging_pathways/consumer-info

Or if you have questions or require any other information please contact your Doctor.

Consumer participation

This information has been reviewed by representatives from the following groups:

Aboriginal people
People with disabilities
Seniors
CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse)
The Health Consumers’ Council

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Disclaimer

This article is intended as general information only. The Diagnostic Imaging Pathways team and Radiology Across Borders will not accept any liability arising from its use. The information is kept as up-to-date and accurate as possible. Please be warned that it is always subject to change./p>