Scaphoid Bone Surgery and Recovery

I will give it to you straight...

The scaphoid fracture is a pretty serious injury. It is one of the smaller bones in the wrist located just below the thumb.

For those reading, if you put your thumb in a "hitch-hiking" position, the scaphoid bone is in the depression made by the ligaments of the thumb.

It is serious because of blood supply. part of the bone has a good supply and part does not.

Even with surgery, this type of fracture takes a very long time to heal.It is difficult to estimate a time frame. It is not uncommon to have a nonunion (the bone doesn't join, so it doesn't heal).

If this most recent surgery doesn't work, you might question your doctor about the possibility of inserting a bone stimulator.

All activities that might cause further injury should be avoided, such as heavy lifting or any activity that might cause a fall.

If he is doing anything that might strain the wrist a little, a wrist support is usually recommended to avoid further injury.

Of course, he should follow his therapists' instructions to gain full motion and strength, because often times these injuries result in arthritis.

So be careful and do not rush back. Your son's mindset will be key here as this can be a frustrating recovery. I have helped a few athletes recover from this injury and go on to play at the college level (1 football, 1 baseball) so it can be done. I just wanted to make sure you knew both sides.

Pitcatmom,

I have sent you the email address of D.Terry from this site. He gave me great info for my son and myself. I hope for a healthy and speedy recovery for your son as well.

irishtimes

Many thanks to you, Jon Doyle and Irish.

Straight talk is precisely what we were after, Jon. The bone stimulator concept was a new one for us. We've done some preliminary research on them and we will definitely discuss the possibility with the surgeon if it comes to that. Learning that at least one other baseball player has come back after a scaphoid break is encourging, too. When the cast comes off, we will definitely do everything we can to impress upon our son the importance of following his therapist's direction because you nailed it; he's going to be in a big hurry to get back to his preinjury lifting regimen and the consequences of too much too soon are not pretty.

And, Irish, we received a message with some very helpful links from D. Terry. It sure is nice to have a place to go for education and support when you are facing a situation as unfamiliar and precarious as this one is for us.

Bless you both!