Tag Archive for: Wrist Injury

Scaphoid Wrist Fracture

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Scaphoid fractures are usually difficult to identify. The scaphoid is relatively smaller than other bones of the hand, so the fracture may not be visible. The scaphoid area may not seem swollen, and one won’t always feel severe pain. As a result, people often ignore a scaphoid fracture, confuse it with a sprained wrist and attempt to self-treat at home. However, left untreated, it may take six months to heal. The medical experts at the Colorado Center of Orthopaedic Excellence in Colorado Springs, Colorado, are skilled at correctly identifying and treating a scaphoid wrist fracture, ensuring you won’t end up with complications that could have a negative impact on your everyday life.

OVERVIEW

Scaphoid wrist fractures, like all bone fractures, can affect anyone. This type of fracture occurs most often after a fall onto an outstretched hand or other accidents. Scaphoid wrist fractures account for 2% to 7% of all fractures and 60% to 70% of carpal bone fractures. They are often found in teens and young adults under 30. People with osteoporosis have an increased risk for all types of broken bones, including scaphoid fractures.

ABOUT THE SCAPHOID

The scaphoid is one of eight carpal bones which form the wrist. It is located on the radial side of the wrist under the thumb. The name “scaphoid” is derived from Greek and means bowl or boat, which is an apt description of its shape. The scaphoid bone can be found by holding the thumb up while looking at the back of the hand. The triangular indentation that’s formed by the tendons of the thumb is called the “anatomic snuffbox.” The scaphoid is located at the bottom of this triangle. The scaphoid is a delicate bone with a precarious blood flow. If that blood supply is cut off, the bone will not receive the nourishment it needs to repair itself.

WHAT IS A SCAPHOID WRIST FRACTURE?

Quite simply, scaphoid fractures are a type of broken wrist. The scaphoid has three parts, all three of which can be broken.

Read more about Scaphoid Wrist Fractures on our new Colorado Springs Orthopedic News Site – Colorado Springs Orthopedic News. Schedule an appointment with a wrist specialist today.

Our Wrist Surgeons


Specializing in diagnosing and treating injuries of the hand and upper extremities.

Dr. Kari Larson

Karl M. Larsen, MD

Specializing in conditions affecting the hand and upper extremities.

Dr. Ky Kobayashi

Ky M. Kobayashi, MD

Specializing in conditions affecting the hand and upper extremities.

Dr. Chance Henderson

Chance J. Henderson, MD

Specializing in diagnosing and treating injuries of the hand and upper extremities.

Dr. Gregg Martyak

Gregg G. Martyak, MD

Take Care This Holiday Season to Avoid a Hand Injury

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Need a hand this holiday season?

Our hands and wrists perform countless holiday tasks that are often taken for granted until function is impaired. Did you know that the hand is comprised of more than 120 ligaments, 27 bones, 29 joints, and a network of delicate nerves?

Hand and wrist injuries are common during the holidays, and (if we ever get another snowstorm) icy outdoor conditions combined with seasonal activities can take things to the next level. Whether it’s hanging lights while on ladders or heading to the hills to find some actual snow, unexpected slips can suddenly lead to hand and wrist injuries. Here are a few common holiday hand and wrist hazards to guard against this year.

Whoops vs. FOOSH

Falls on outstretched hands, known as FOOSH to orthopedic hand specialists, is a major cause of a broken hand or wrist. This is common among skiers and snowboarders but can happen in everyday life too. Stretching too far while on a ladder or for a door with an armful of packages can cause you to lose your balance. It’s natural to brace yourself from falls like these by reaching out with a free hand and that outstretched hand can become a fractured hand or wrist.

The radial bone is the largest bone in the forearm and the portion of the radial bone located directly above the hand is the distal end. The most common cause of distal radial fractures is a FOOSH. Pain, swelling, and difficulty of movement are signs of a possible fracture which requires immediate attention. The longer the delay in treatment, the greater risk of complications or full recovery. 

Do I Need Stitches or Surgery?

Holiday hand hazards aren’t confined to icy conditions. Indoor holiday activities can also lead to hand injury or pain. Did you know that holiday cooking is a big source of hand injuries each year? About 10% of ER visits throughout the year are related to hand injuries, but during the holidays, knife-related injuries, which can cause severe nerve or tendon damage, are more common.

The holidays often combine major cooking projects with chaos. So, as you’re undertaking extensive food preparation in a crowded kitchen, remember to take it slow and keep your eyes focused on your task.

From cutting raw vegetables to carving the holiday bird or roast, knife cuts are a common cause of hand injury. If you cannot stop the bleeding, always seek care immediately. Depending on the cut’s severity, depth, length and location, you may need to see a doctor, who may recommend stitches or surgery.

Deep hand cuts on the palm can result in flexor tendon damage. Flexor tendons control hand movement and the loss of that movement is an indication of possible tendon damage. Surgery is a common option to repair tendon and nerve damage. While some nerve damage can regenerate on its own, complex nerve reconstruction can require surgical attention to maximize recovery.

If you think you may need stitches, CCOE’s Saturday morning walk-in clinic is available for cuts that can’t wait until Monday, but don’t require an immediate trip to the ER.

Oh, My Aching Hands

Basic holiday tasks such as wrapping presents and tying bows can aggravate arthritis, tendonitis or carpel tunnel, among other hand and wrist damage, and may require attention.

As we age, joint inflammation can lead to severe hand and wrist pain. Arthritis is the presence of stiffness or pain in one or more joint. Although juvenile arthritis occurs, arthritis is much more prevalent in aging adults. Pain, swelling, and stiffness are the most common signs of arthritis. Proper diagnosis is essential to identifying the right treatment plan.

Hand and wrist injuries require extensive knowledge and training to accurately diagnose and treat. Our specialists have received advanced training in conditions affecting the hands and wrists including fractures, arthritis, tendonitis.

Dr. Karl Larsen, Dr. Ky Kobayashi, Dr. Gregg Martyak, and Dr. Chance Henderson have decades of specialized hand experience that informs diagnosis and comprehensive, personalized treatment plans to treat the source of your pain, stiffness, and limited mobility.

For knowledgeable hand and wrist pain diagnosis and patient-centered results, trust the CCOE team. To speak to a hand and wrist specialist today, call (719) 623-1050 or request an appointment.

Watch out for a FOOSH! Don’t let a broken wrist or ganglion cyst give you the winter blues

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Being active in the winter is good for our mental and physical health, but don’t let bad luck sideline you with a fractured hand or broken wrist. These injuries are extremely common, especially in winter months when skiing, snowboarding or slipping on ice, can quickly lead to a Fall onto an outstretched hand – also known as “FOOSH” among orthopedic experts.

FOOSH tends to break the larger bone in your forearm, called the radius, which is also the bone most often broken in the arm. The end of the radius, closest to the hand, is known as the distal end, and not surprisingly, the most common cause of a distal radius fracture is a FOOSH.

When sustaining the weight of a fall, the wrist can fracture in many ways, and the break may extend into the wrist joint or be limited to the arm bone only.

Immediate signs of a wrist fracture include swelling, bruising, pain to the touch and visual deformity. The presence of numbness or difficulty moving fingers are also signs to seek immediate treatment. Time counts; delays can impair healing and limit future strength and range of motion.

Treatment options for a broken wrist are determined by the location of the break and its severity. Generally, joint immobilization (splinting or casting) and surgery are used to restore mobility, and physical therapy is employed to aid the recovery process and rebuild strength. If the fracture has interrupted blood flow to a wrist bone, a portion of the bone may die. In these cases, bone grafts and bone fusion may be used to aid healing.

Another very common cause of hand or wrist pain that spans the seasons is ganglion cysts.

If you have a lump in your hand or wrist, chances are it’s a ganglion cyst. These common and treatable fluid-filled sacs often appear on hand and wrist tendons or joints. Ganglion cysts are identified with medical assessment and most are easily treatable.

The cyst itself is generally painless, but the location of a ganglion cyst may impede hand or wrist movement or compress a corresponding nerve – which triggers pain on that nerve.

While these sacs can grow in a variety of joints on the bottom or the top of the wrist, they are most common on the top of the wrist. The size of the sac tends to grow with use and recede with inactivity.

Although ganglion cysts can present in a variety of patients, they are more prominent in females younger than 40 and in those who have high incidence or impact of wrist use. Cysts that develop on the finger (mucous cysts) tend to be associated with older patients and those with arthritis.

Ganglion cysts often clear on their own; however, some cysts require draining (aspiration) or removal (excision). During evaluation, an orthopedic specialist typically will assess the origin of the sac, its fluctuations in size, level of discomfort, and impact on mobility. The exam will reveal if the mass is fluid or a solid mass and identify if rest, draining, or removal offers the best outcome. They will also look at the patients’ history of arthritis and review current medications.

Aspiration offers relief from pain and addresses the visible appearance. But that relief may be temporary because, while the draining removes the fluid which comprises the cyst’s mass, the root sac remains. Excision (removal of the cyst) addresses this issue. Most patients find this outpatient procedure to be fairly simple and highly beneficial, and most can resume normal activities within two to six weeks. Physical therapy is frequently a part of successful recovery.

Wrist injuries and wrist pain don’t have to add to your winter blues, see a CCOE hand and wrist specialist to diagnose and treat your pain so you can get back to what you love. Schedule today.

Exercises that Strengthen Your Hand and Prevent Injuries

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As an athlete or active individual, you know how to power your game and keep your body at its fighting best. Workouts and cardio work keep your arms, legs, and torso ready for action – but have you thought about your hands?

Specific hand exercises and routines can help keep your hands strong and healthy. Hand exercise can also benefit people who find that stiffness, pain, or swelling of the hands prevents them from performing daily tasks and enjoying a full life.

How Can I Make My Hands Stronger?

Today, orthopedists and physical therapists have a battery of exercises for the hands and wrists that have proven effective for everyone, whether you’re an athlete or a retiree or somewhere in between. Many of these exercises were first developed for rehabilitation following hand injuries and surgeries.

Below are some of the exercises that can help you strengthen your hands and keep them healthy:

Finger Stretches

Finger stretches are helpful exercises that can help maintain and improve the range of motion of your hands and also help to relieve pain and swelling.

1.    Place your hands palm-down on a flat surface.

2.    Straighten your fingers slowly, while slightly pressing against the flat surface (without applying excessive force).

3.    Once they’re fully straightened, hold this position for 15 seconds.

4.    Release, and repeat three times for each hand. 

Claw Stretches 

Claw stretches maintain and improve the range of motion of your fingers. 

1.    Hold your hands out in front of you with palms facing you.

2.    Bend your fingertips downward within the hand, so each fingertip is touching the base of the finger.

3.    While keeping them bent in this position, pull the fingers back to open the palm. (Now you see why this is called a “claw stretch.”)

4.    Hold this position for 15-30 seconds.

5.    Release, and repeat three times for each hand.

Thumb Stretches

The joints of your thumbs are vulnerable to injury. This exercise helps strengthen these joints and the four major tendons that control your thumb. 

1.    Hold your hands out, palms facing you.

2.    Slowly bend the tip of your thumb down toward the base of your little finger.

3.    Hold this position for 30 seconds.

4.    Release, and repeat three times for each thumb. 

Grip Strengthener 

This exercise is designed to strengthen your grip. You can use a tennis ball, rubber ball, or foam ball.

1.    Hold the ball in your palm, and slowly squeeze it as hard as you can.

2.    Hold this position for five seconds.

3.    Release, and repeat five times for each hand. 

You can repeat these hand workouts two or three times a week, and add more exercises as you go. Stop if you feel pain during or after the exercises; never force the tendons or joints beyond their range of motion.

Contact an Orthopedic Doctor in Colorado Springs

Our medical team at the Colorado Center of Orthopaedic Excellence are experts in sports injuries – and in keeping the body strong to prevent injury in the first place. We offer a full range of therapy, minimally invasive treatments, and bone and joint surgery.

Call us today to make an appointment at our Colorado Springs at (719) 623-1050, or request an appointment here. Let us help you continue to enjoy the active, pain-free lifestyle you love!