What Is a Missed Scaphoid Fracture Claim?
The scaphoid is the smallest of eight carpal bones in the wrist; the most common wrist bone to break. As fractures here can be subtle, they sometimes get missed on X-rays.
A missed scaphoid fracture claim usually refers to a medical negligence case in which an individual states that a healthcare professional has failed to properly diagnose a scaphoid fracture, resulting in complications and/or other symptoms.
What Happens if a Scaphoid Fracture Is Missed?
If, in a situation of delayed diagnosis, the fracture is not diagnosed and treated promptly, there can be long-term problems such as delayed healing or non-union of the fracture.
Another complication is malunion, where the bone heals in the wrong position, causing problems and pain with gripping and holding objects. More complex surgery may be needed to correct this, which involves bone grafting to aid healing.
Another complication of delay can be avascular necrosis. This is where the blood supply to this bone is stopped and causes the bone to collapse. If not treated and diagnosed promptly, this can occur some months after the initial fracture.
Longer-term, non-union, malunion, or avascular necrosis can lead to premature osteoarthritis occurring in the joint, which can cause restrictions in using your wrist. In these cases, we may be able to help you obtain the compensation you deserve to cover your pain and suffering. We can also offer extensive help and advice to support you emotionally and financially.
When to Suspect a Diagnosis
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History of injury
The medical professional who examines you must take a full and clear history of your injury. They should ask how it occurred, i.e., if you fell or had been playing sport and injured your hand or wrist. Those incidents outlined above should indicate to a medical professional that the patient may have fractured the scaphoid bone.
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Physical examination
They should also carefully examine the wrist. A doctor will look for tenderness in the 'anatomical snuff box'. This is an area of indentation in the skin at the very base of your thumb when you stretch your hand, supposedly where people used to place their snuff before sniffing!
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Initial imaging
An X-ray on the wrist is usually the first port of call for suspected scaphoid fractures, but fractures to this small bone aren't always seen on a standard X-ray. If a scaphoid fracture is suspected, a doctor should order four special views to be taken with your wrist held in certain positions to identify or exclude a scaphoid fracture.
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Follow-up imaging
Sometimes, these fractures are not identifiable straight away, so repeat X-rays should take place after 10 to 14 days. An MRI or CT scan usually has better results for these types of suspected injuries.
Missed Scaphoid Fracture Treatment
The treatment you’ll receive will depend on whether the fracture is displaced. If it is not out of place, or a scaphoid fracture is suspected but not yet confirmed, your arm is usually placed in a cast up to your elbow for 6 to 12 weeks until your scaphoid bone heals. Sometimes, it can take longer to heal.
If it is displaced, surgery will likely be needed. This involves placing a small screw or pin into the scaphoid bone to secure the bony fragments together in the correct position. This means that usually, you do not need to wear a cast for as long, so you can return to your usual activities quicker.
Why do scaphoid fractures get missed?
Sometimes, scaphoid fractures are missed on X-rays due to their subtle nature. It’s not unheard of for healthcare professionals to fail to notice these small fractures in initial imaging. Furthermore, due to the symptoms, they are often misdiagnosed as wrist sprains, which results in many scaphoid fractures being missed for months or even years.
How much compensation do you get for a missed fractured scaphoid?
Missed scaphoid fracture compensation can vary from case to case. We have raised varying amounts of money for different clients, depending on the severity of the case, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other factors. Because of this, we review each case individually.
However, you can review our examples of medical negligence settlements and payout guide for more information.
Are You Ready to Bring a Missed Scaphoid Fracture Claim?
If you would like to make a missed scaphoid fracture claim, our team at Medical Solicitors will happily examine your case and see how we can help. If you’re interested in seeing how we can assist in the claims process, please reach out to us today and start a conversation.
Please Note: Medical Solicitors specialise in missed scaphoid fracture claims involving healthcare providers in England and Wales and will be happy to extend a helping hand if your case is located in either of these regions. Unfortunately, we do not handle missed scaphoid fracture claims outside of England and Wales.
Missed Scaphoid Fracture FAQs
What are the causes of a scaphoid fracture?
Scaphoid fractures commonly occur in young adults under 30, but they can happen at any age.
They're a common sports-related injury and can happen if you are injured while playing a contact or jumping sport like football, rugby, boxing, basketball or wrestling or partake in a sport where there is a risk of falling, such as skiing, snowboarding, skating, or rollerblading.
Scaphoid fractures typically result from one of the following:
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Falling on an outstretched hand (palm flat)
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A movement that forces the wrist backwards (such as a football save)
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Punching injury (hand in a fist position)
Scaphoid fractures can also be caused by non-sporting injuries, such as major wrist trauma (e.g., road traffic accidents) or falls in the elderly or children.
What are scaphoid fracture symptoms?
Symptoms usually include pain, swelling and tenderness around the scaphoid, the part of the wrist closest to the thumb. This can worsen when attempting to grasp or pick things up.
You may also be unable to move your wrist or thumb.
Some patients will have bruising or discolouration in the wrist area.
If symptoms are missed, this may lead to a missed diagnosis and medical negligence.