If x-rays show that the scaphoid fracture is not healing it may be necessary to treat the problem with surgery. ![]() On returning to normal daily activities or work a wrist splint may be useful to protect the wrist from too much movement and act as a deterrent from overdoing anything too soon. In the period following the removal of the plaster it may be helpful to wear a wrist support when not doing the exercises. Exercises using therapeutic putty, hand therapy balls and grip strengtheners can add strength to the muscles around the wrist and resolve wrist swelling. These also encourage the patient to gently begin moving the wrist in all directions, relieving stiffness. At this stage more active rehabilitation can be undertaken.Įxercises in warm water are helpful to improve the hydration of the skin if it was previously encased in a plaster of paris. Assuming that there are no complications with healing, the plaster can usually be removed after 6 weeks, if the doctor is satisfied that the bone has united and healed itself. This prevents secondary stiffness in these areas and helps to resolve swelling in the wrist. Rehabilitation begins immediately by maintaining the range of movement in the shoulder, elbow, fingers and thumb, on the side of the affected wrist. Once the cast has been removed the patient begins physiotherapy treatment to regain range of movement of the wrist joint and strength in the muscles that work over the wrist. This will be worn for a period of 6 weeks to allow healing of the bone to take place. In the case of a severe scaphoid fracture where there is x-ray evidence of good alignment of the fracture fragments, the attending doctor will immobilize the wrist in a plaster. Scaphoid fractures benefit greatly from early diagnosis and treatment, but are often underestimated by the sufferer. If this wrist pain persists then you should seek medical help to have the problem assessed properly, rather than dismiss the problem as ‘a sprain’. If you have fallen onto your wrist and have wrist pain, then ice therapy may be helpful to relieve the pain.
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