Scaphoid fracture

Last revised by Craig Hacking on 27 Mar 2024

Scaphoid fractures (i.e. fractures through the scaphoid bone) are common, in some instances can be difficult to diagnose, and can result in significant functional impairment.

Scaphoid fractures account for 70-80% of all carpal bone fractures 1. Although they occur essentially at any age, adolescents and young adults are most commonly affected 1. Older patients falling in a similar manner are more likely to sustain a distal radial fracture (usually a Colles fracture).

Patients will typically present with pain around the dorsal wrist and/or the anatomical snuffbox after a fall on an outstretched hand. The dorsum of the wrist may be edematous. Circumduction of the wrist is often painful 20. Pain may be elicited by palpation at the scaphoid tubercle (volar/radial), in the anatomic snuffbox, and just distal to Lister's tubercle. The scaphoid shift test and axial loading of the thumb may also elicit pain.

The usual mechanism is falling on an outstretched hand, applying an axial load to an extended and pronated wrist in ulnar deviation 7. Occasionally stress fractures are also encountered although these are less common, and only usually seen in athletes (e.g. shot putters or gymnasts) 8.

Fractures can occur essentially anywhere along the scaphoid, but distribution is not even 16:

  • waist of the scaphoid: 70-80%

  • distal pole (or so-called scaphoid tubercle): 20%

  • proximal pole: 10%

A dedicated plain radiographic series investigating the scaphoid exists, consisting of four projections of the scaphoid bone. It is positionally different from the wrist series. It should, however, be noted that the initial radiograph can miss from 5-20% of fractures in the acute setting 1.

Features include:

  • visualization of the fracture +/- displacement

  • soft tissue swelling and lateral displacement of the adjacent fat pads

    • scaphoid fat pad sign: obliteration or lateral displacement of a straight/convex lucent line on the lateral aspect of the scaphoid 11

  • associated scapholunate ligament disruption (Terry Thomas sign) which can be accentuated with a clenched fist view

If osteonecrosis develops the first sign will be slight sclerosis. This can be on account of the rest of the wrist undergoing demineralization due to immobilization, whereas the proximal portion being bereft of blood supply retains its calcium. With time the proximal part undergoes osteonecrosis, becomes increasingly sclerotic and can "implode" and fragment with secondary osteoarthritic changes 9.

Ultrasonography may be used as an adjunctive imaging modality in the detection of acute scaphoid fractures. Sonographic windows commonly obtained include longitudinal and transverse views at the radial border of the wrist, volar wrist just medial to the thenar eminence, and dorsal wrist adjacent to lister's tubercle 18

Focal interruption of the thin echogenic cortex serves as direct sonographic evidence of fracture. Fractures may be associated with overlying heterogenous collections which do not deform with compression by the transducer, representing hematomas 19.

CT may be used for diagnosis when plain films are normal because it is readily available and quick 12. Reported sensitivities, specificities and negative predictive values for CT have been reported CT to be 89-90%, 85-100%, and 97-98% respectively. CT may be insensitive to trabecular injury 5. CT is useful for staging scaphoid fractures if surgery is considered and when fractures of the carpus are extensive or complex. CT also is useful in assessing bone union 8.

MRI is the most sensitive modality for trabecular fractures, and this can detect completely undisplaced fractures, especially in the first 24 hours following injury 9,13. It is also useful in assessing for osteonecrosis.

Although bone scans are more sensitive than plain radiographs, they are usually reserved for patients with ongoing pain despite normal serial plain films 8, 13. Bone scans will be most sensitive 3-4 days following the injury. An occult fracture will appear as a region of increased uptake, whereas osteonecrosis will demonstrate a photopenic region at the lower pole of the scaphoid.

In addition to stating that a fracture is present, a number of features should be sought and commented upon:

  • fracture

    • location (distal pole, waist, proximal pole)

    • involvement of articular surfaces

    • displacement or step

    • humpback deformity due to angulation between proximal and distal parts

  • alignment

  • associated fractures: e.g. Colles fracture or other carpal bone fractures

  • evidence of osteonecrosis if the fracture is subacute

Importantly if no fracture is seen it is essential to recommend repeat x-rays (including dedicated scaphoid views) in 7-10 days 1. If these repeat films are negative also, then MRI (or bone scan if MRI is unavailable) should be recommended if clinical suspicion persists 1.

Management options can broadly be divided into non-operative or operative management. 

  • immobilization with thumb spica (or short arm) cast application 22,23

  • indications:

    • undisplaced fracture

    • normal radiograph but a high index of suspicion

  • outcomes:

    • fractures with <1 mm of displacement have a 90% union rate

Union rates for non-operative management range from 77-100% 23

Patients undergoing operative fixation generally have better functional outcomes measured up to at least 12 months post-injury 22. Operative management is associated with shorter periods of immobilization, less stiffness, better grip strength and faster return to work/sport 23

  • percutaneous screw fixation (usually with a headless self-compressing screw 10,17

    • indications:

      • unstable fractures​: as illustrated by proximal pole

      • fractures with >1 mm displacement but no significant deformity or angulation (e.g. humpback deformity)

  • K wire fixation 25

  • open reduction internal fixation

    • indications 23

      • significantly displaced fractures

      • humpback deformity (15o)

      • DISI deformity (radiolunate angle >15o)

      • intrascaphoid angle >35o

      • associated perilunate dislocations

      • unstable or oblique fractures

There are a number of factors that affect prognosis 23:

  • location 9

    • distal pole: the excellent likelihood of union (~100%)

    • waist: ~10-20% chance of non-union

    • proximal pole: ~30-40% chance of non-union

  • vertically oriented fracture line

  • fragment displacement of >1 mm

  • ligamentous instability: increased scapholunate angle: i.e. >60º or radiolunate or capitolunate angle >15º

The major complication of scaphoid fractures is non-union or malunion leading to instability, deformity and secondary osteoarthritic change. Hence surgical treatment of displaced fractures or angulation.

A number of other specific complications are encountered from time to time:

The term scaphoid derives from the Greek word σκάφος for boat. The bone profile is thought to look like a boat or skiff.

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