Trauma & OrthopaedicsPending review

Scaphoid Fracture

A fall onto an outstretched hand fractures the scaphoid across its waist, where retrograde blood supply makes the proximal fragment vulnerable to avascular necrosis and non-union, so clinical suspicion alone mandates immobilisation and repeat imaging.

First principles

Why the scaphoid fractures at its waist in a FOOSH injury

A fall onto an outstretched, extended and radially deviated wrist forces the scaphoid to impinge against the dorsal rim of the radius, concentrating load across its narrow midsection, the waist. This is the biomechanically weakest point and the commonest fracture site, though fractures can also occur at the proximal or distal pole.

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Educational content pending clinical review. Not medical advice.