Fracture of the Scaphoid
A scaphoid fracture is a break in one of the small bones in the wrist located near the base of the thumb. This injury commonly occurs after a fall onto an outstretched hand and can sometimes be mistaken for a mild wrist sprain. Physiotherapy plays an important role in recovery by restoring wrist mobility, strength, and function after the bone has healed.
What is a Scaphoid Fracture?
The scaphoid is a small but important bone in the wrist located on the thumb side, just above the wrist joint. It connects the two rows of wrist bones and helps the wrist move smoothly and maintain stability.
A scaphoid fracture occurs when this bone breaks, usually due to sudden impact or trauma. Because the scaphoid bone has a limited blood supply, healing can sometimes take longer compared to other bones.
Scaphoid fractures are common in sports injuries, falls, and accidents, particularly among active individuals.
How Does a Scaphoid Fracture Happen?
A scaphoid fracture most commonly happens when someone falls onto an outstretched hand.
When the hand hits the ground during a fall, the force travels through the wrist and can cause the scaphoid bone to crack or break.
Common causes include:
- Falling during sports activities
- Slipping and landing on the hand
- Cycling or skateboard accidents
- Contact sports injuries
- Road traffic accidents
Because the injury may initially feel mild, many people mistake it for a simple wrist sprain.
What Are the Symptoms of a Scaphoid Fracture?
Symptoms of a scaphoid fracture can sometimes be subtle, which is why the injury may go unnoticed at first.
Common symptoms include:
- Pain on the thumb side of the wrist
- Pain when gripping or moving the wrist
- Reduced range of wrist movement
- Swelling around the wrist
- Wrist stiffness
- Weakness in the hand
- Tenderness when pressing the base of the thumb
- Numbness or tingling in rare cases
Unlike other fractures, scaphoid fractures may not cause obvious deformity or severe swelling, making early diagnosis important.
What Should I Do If I Have a Scaphoid Fracture?
If you suspect a scaphoid fracture, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Steps you should take include:
- Avoid using the injured wrist
- Support the arm using a sling
- Apply ice wrapped in a cloth for 15–20 minutes to reduce swelling
- Visit a hospital or emergency department for evaluation
Doctors usually confirm the diagnosis with X-rays, although in some cases a CT scan or MRI may be needed if the fracture is not visible immediately.
Treatment typically includes:
- Immobilising the wrist with a cast or splint
- Wearing a supportive sling
- In some cases, surgery to stabilise the bone
Once the bone begins to heal, physiotherapy is recommended to restore normal wrist function.
Physiotherapy Treatment for a Scaphoid Fracture
After wearing a cast or splint, the wrist joint often becomes stiff and the surrounding muscles weaken. Physiotherapy helps restore normal movement and strength while reducing the risk of future injury.
Physiotherapy treatment may include:
- Joint mobilisation to improve wrist flexibility and reduce stiffness
- Strengthening exercises for the wrist, hand, and forearm muscles
- Stretching exercises to restore normal movement
- Grip strengthening exercises to improve hand function
- Manual therapy such as soft tissue massage
- Electrotherapy to assist pain management in some cases
- Functional retraining to help patients return to daily activities
- Sports injury rehabilitation for safe return to sports
At ACE Physio Sports in Singapore, personalised rehabilitation programmes are designed to help patients recover safely and regain full wrist function.
What Should I Avoid With a Scaphoid Fracture?
To ensure proper healing, certain activities should be avoided.
Patients should avoid:
- Using the injured wrist too early
- Lifting heavy objects
- Returning to sports before full recovery
- Heat treatments during the early stage of injury
- Ignoring persistent wrist pain
Following medical advice and completing physiotherapy exercises are important for optimal recovery.
Can There Be Long-Term Effects?
Most scaphoid fractures heal successfully within 6–12 weeks, but healing time may vary depending on the location and severity of the fracture.
Possible complications include:
- Delayed bone healing
- Non-union, where the bone fragments fail to heal together
- Chronic wrist pain
- Reduced wrist mobility
- Decreased grip strength
- Early wrist arthritis in severe cases
Early diagnosis and proper rehabilitation significantly reduce the risk of long-term complications.
Why Choose ACE Physio Sports
At ACE Physio Sports – Singapore, our experienced physiotherapists specialise in treating wrist injuries, sports injuries, and post-fracture rehabilitation.
Our clinic offers:
- Personalised physiotherapy treatment plans
- Evidence-based rehabilitation techniques
- Sports and musculoskeletal injury expertise
- Comprehensive recovery programs
Conveniently located near East Coast Road, we treat patients from Marine Parade, Katong, Joo Chiat, Siglap, and Bedok.
Book an Appointment
To arrange an appointment, please call +65 81535374 or visit acephysiosport.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my wrist fracture is healing properly?
Healing is tracked via X-ray at follow-up appointments. Signs of good progress include reducing pain, improving function, and callus formation visible on imaging. Your physiotherapist will guide you through each stage of loading the bone safely.
When can I start putting weight through my wrist after a fracture?
Weight-bearing timelines depend on fracture type, location, and whether surgery was performed. Your physiotherapist and surgeon will work together to guide this safely, with load progressively increased once adequate healing is confirmed.
Can physiotherapy help with stiffness and weakness after a wrist fracture?
Absolutely. Stiffness and muscle weakness are very common after fracture immobilisation. Physiotherapy uses gentle joint mobilisation, stretching, and progressive strengthening to restore full movement and prevent long-term limitations.
Ready to start your recovery?
Our specialist physiotherapists are here to help. Book a consultation today.
Book an Appointment