Scaphoid fracture
Fallen onto your hand and still have pain below your thumb? It could be a scaphoid fracture, which isn’t always easy to spot.
Specialist fracture care
A careful assessment
Scaphoid breaks can be difficult to see, so we’ll closely examine your symptoms and scans.
The right support
Help your wrist heal well
Your care will be shaped by the fracture’s location and the stability of the bone.
A clear route back
Know what comes next
We’ll explain your recovery and help you return to work and everyday activities safely.
What is a scaphoid fracture?
The scaphoid is one of the small bones in your wrist. It sits just below the base of your thumb and helps your wrist move smoothly. A scaphoid fracture means this bone has cracked or broken. It’s important to have the injury checked because some parts of the scaphoid have a limited blood supply, which can slow healing. If the bone doesn’t heal properly, it may cause lasting discomfort and increase your risk of developing wrist osteoarthritis later.
What causes a scaphoid fracture?
Most scaphoid fractures happen when you fall onto an outstretched hand with your palm taking the force. This can occur during sport or another type of fall.
The same injury can sometimes cause a distal radius fracture, which is a break near the end of the larger forearm bone.
What are the symptoms of a scaphoid fracture?
The main sign is pain below the base of your thumb. It may feel worse when you move your wrist, grip something or press on the sore area.
You might also notice:
- Swelling around the thumb side of your wrist
- Bruising or tenderness
- Difficulty gripping or pushing through your hand
- Pain that hasn’t reduced after a fall
The injury can feel similar to a sprained wrist. If the discomfort isn’t improving, it’s worth having your wrist assessed rather than assuming it’s a sprain.
How is a scaphoid fracture diagnosed?
Your specialist will ask how you injured your wrist and examine the area around the base of your thumb. You’ll usually have X-rays to look for a break and check if any pieces of bone have moved out of position.
Scaphoid fractures don’t always appear clearly on the first X-ray. If your wrist is still tender, you may be asked to wear a splint or cast until further imaging can be arranged.
An MRI scan can reveal a break that’s difficult to see on an X-ray. A CT scan may be used to show the position of the broken bone in more detail or check how well it’s healing.
How is a scaphoid fracture treated?
The right treatment option for you depends on where the bone broke and whether the pieces still line up. A break near the thumb usually heals more easily than one closer to the forearm because the blood supply is better in this area.
Your specialist will also consider when the injury happened and what you want to get back to doing.
Treatment routes for Scaphoid fractures
Some scaphoid fractures heal well in a cast, while others need an operation to hold the bone securely. Follow-up scans help your specialist see how healing is progressing.
If the broken pieces are in a good position, your wrist can usually be protected in a cast or splint while the bone repairs itself. You may need to wear it for several weeks, although the exact length of time depends on the break’s location and how quickly it heals.
Regular X-rays or a CT scan may be used to check your progress. Once it’s safe to move your wrist again, we may give you exercises to improve flexibility and rebuild strength.
Recovery goals after scaphoid fracture treatment
Phase 1 goals:
Keep your wrist protected in the cast or splint Raise your hand when you can to help with swelling Keep your fingers moving unless advised otherwise Contact your care team if the cast feels too tight or your fingers become numb
Phase 2 goals:
Attend your follow-up appointments and scans Avoid lifting or putting weight through the injured hand Keep your shoulder and elbow moving comfortably Follow any cast, wound or splint care advice you’ve been given
Phase 3 goals:
Begin wrist exercises at the pace recommended for you Gradually rebuild your grip and movement Return to driving or work when your specialist says it’s safe Wait for clearance before contact sport or heavy lifting
Working with Hand and Wrist professionals and teams
Our hand and wrist specialists support professional athletes, sports teams, active individuals and people whose work places high demands on their hands and wrists. Working closely with radiologists, physiotherapists and the wider multidisciplinary team, they provide coordinated care from diagnosis through to rehabilitation, helping each person return safely to sport, work or everyday activities.
The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or recovery goals.
Our Experts - Leaders in Hand and Wrist treatment
How to pay
We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Private medical insurance
If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.
Paying for yourself
You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
Find a clinic near you
Fortius Clinic City
Our City Clinic is conveniently located between Bank and Monument stations, within the historic and financial heart of London. At our modern, two-floor facility we have nine consulting rooms, spacious waiting areas, well equipped treatment rooms and an imaging centre.
Explore our City Clinic with our virtual tour.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
Should you be travelling by car, the closest parking is a three minute drive away at NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange. If you are attending clinic on a weekday, please be aware that we are based in the congestion charge zone.
- 75 King William StreetEC4N 7BE
- 0203 195 2442
- Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone
Our Marylebone Clinic is conveniently located in the historic area between Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, just off Manchester Square, home to the iconic Wallace Collection. We have seven consulting rooms, private waiting areas on each floor, well equipped treatment rooms and diagnostic imaging.
- 17 Fitzhardinge StreetW1U 2EU
- 020 3195 2442
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
Fortius Clinic Marylebone Wing
Our 79,000 sq ft, seven-story, private hospital on Wigmore Street has 39 en-suite inpatient rooms, consultation and treatment rooms, and a physiotherapy suite.
The hospital has a high-spec imaging suite fully equipped with an MRI, CT scanner and X-ray machine. There are three state-of-the-art operating theatres, two anaesthetic rooms and a recovery bay.
Fortius Clinic London has two Mako robots for hip and knee joint replacements.
- 66 Wigmore StreetW1U 2SB
- +442031952442
- Open 24 hours
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- CT guided injection
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
Fortius Clinic Wimbledon
Our Wimbledon clinic houses a state-of-the-art imaging centre with a 3T MRI and X-ray scanners, Ultrasound, seven consulting rooms, two spacious waiting areas and well equipped treatment rooms all located on one level, ensuring easy accessibility for all patients.
Our partnership with Spire St Anthony’s Hospital allows us to provide orthopaedic surgery closer to our clinic. We treat a full range of conditions and perform joint replacement surgery using the latest Mako robotic assisted technology.
Take a tour of our clinic virtually through Google 360 views here.
We are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground station is Wimbledon (District Line), which also has rail and tramlink services from central London and beyond.
There is no parking available at the clinic, but we have a number of parking facilities all within a 10-12 minute walk of the clinic: Centre Court Car Park, Broadway Car Park, and Hartfield Road Car Park. Please note that all of these facilities are paid car parks.
The building at 22 Worple Road has steps leading up to the front entrance. If you require assistance please inform us before your arrival by calling ahead on 020 3195 2442
- 22 Worple RoadSW19 4DD
- 0203 195 2442
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
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