You have been treated for an injury to your hand or wrist. You have had a thorough examination and are now considered fit to be discharged. The following instructions will aid your recovery.
Suspected Scaphoid Injury
The scaphoid bone is a small bone in your wrist
- If you fall with your wrist outstretched, you may injure this bone
- This bone has a rich blood supply and a fracture could affect this
- A fracture may not show up immediately on X-ray so we arrange for a re X-ray in 10 to 14 days after your initial injury
- We will arrange for you to be seen in the Emergency Department Review Clinic for a re examination
Today:
- Your wrist is painful and we suspect your scaphoid bone may be injured
- Your wrist X-ray does not show a clear fracture
- You will be treated with a splint, pain relief and written exercises
At Review Clinic:
- You will be re examined
- If injury is still suspected you will have another X-ray
- Please note if your symptoms are much better or there is an alternative diagnosis, an X-ray would not be necessary
Your splint:
- Should be used in the daytime and taken off at night
- Do not wear it too tight
- It is washable
- Air your skin to keep healthy
- Consider your occupation and discuss with your employer about amended duties or phased return to work
At 3 to 4 weeks:
- If your wrist remains painful consult your GP for further assessment
- Further specialist referral or imaging may be required
Hand and Arm Exercises for Injured Wrists
To be done while your wrist is in a splint
It is important to do these exercises for several reasons:
- To keep your joints as mobile as possible, that is, shoulder elbow and fingers
- To maintain some strength of the muscles in your arm and hand
- To minimise painful swelling by improving the circulation
Remove your arm from the sling before you do these exercises.
Exercises for your Fingers
- Curl up all four fingers, bending them fully then straighten them right out – 10 times
- Stretch your fingers out sideways so there is a gap between each one then press them together, squeeze and then relax – 10 times
- Touch the tip of your thumb to the tip of your first/index finger, squeeze and release. Repeat with each finger 10 times
The finger exercises should be done every hour.
Exercises for Wrist and Hand
Sit comfortably with your hand resting on a table.
- Make a fist, then stretch fingers out.
- Touch each of your fingers with your thumb.
- Turn palm up to ceiling and down to the floor.
- With your forearm flat on a table, lift your wrist up and down.
- Using a soft ball, eg, tennis ball, in the palm of your hand, squeeze gently and relax.
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