Have you injured your wrist with a scaphoid fracture? A scaphoid fracture is a painful condition happening when one of the smallest bones in your wrist is broken. The fracture usually happens when you fall on your outstretched hand. Wearing wrist support braces is recommended following a scaphoid injury. It helps manage pain and other mild to moderate symptoms resulting from a scaphoid fracture.
Causes and symptoms of scaphoid fracture
A scaphoid fracture usually happens when you fall on your outstretched hand. Other common causes of scaphoid fractures may include high-contact sports that require repetitive wrist movements and a road or car accident. Pain is the basic symptom of scaphoid fracture. You may also experience swelling, tenderness, discolouration, a deformity, or inability of moving wrists. Whenever you feel such mentioned symptoms, you must consult your healthcare advisors. They will diagnose the problem and recommend treatment plans accordingly.
How does wrist braces help with scaphoid fracture?
Wearing wrist braces may help you heal scaphoid injury – especially when the fracture is non-displaced. Bracing your injured wrist helps immobilise or protect your wrists. Thus, it helps prevent further damage or discomfort following an injury. Wrist support braces are also best at providing compression and support. Thus, they help you with mobility and improve blood circulation. Continuous support and improved blood circulation are best at speeding up recovery.
Do you need to perform repetitive wrist movements, making you susceptible to scaphoid or other injuries? Wearing wrist support braces may help you avoid the chances of injuries by proving enough support and compression.
How long does a scaphoid fracture take to heal?
If a scaphoid bone is broken, it damages a few tiny blood vessels that supply nutrients to the bones. As healing requires a proper blood supply, it may take a few months to heal completely.
If the scaphoid fracture is non-displaced, it may successfully be treated with cast, splint, or braces. For a non-displaced scaphoid fracture, the healing process usually takes six weeks. However, the process may take longer for some patients.
In the case of your scaphoid fracture being at all displaced, it might take surgery to heal completely. Surgery may take a longer time to heal compared to non-surgical treatment.