Scaphoid Fracture
If your scaphoid fracture was not diagnosed and treated within a reasonable amount of time, you could be entitled to claim compensation for the injuries you have sustained.
For more information on claiming compensation for a broken wrist, please get in touch with our team here at Glynns Solicitors. We are a niche medical negligence law firm and will be able to advise you further.
What is a scaphoid fracture?
The scaphoid is a small bone in the wrist. It is located just the thumb. If you do a 'thumbs up' gesture, you will see that your thumb tendons create a hollow. The scaphoid is at the base of this hollow.
A scaphoid fracture is when the scaphoid bone breaks. A scaphoid fracture is a common injury. It frequently occurs when someone puts their hand out to break a fall.
A scaphoid fracture is often associated with sports such as skating, skiing, rugby and football, where participants are more likely to fall onto an outstretched hand.
Symptoms of a scaphoid fracture
When the scaphoid bone is fractured, the individual will experience pain and tenderness around the wrist and thumb. The pain may increase when the thumb is used. The tissue around the bone will also be swollen.
Diagnosing a scaphoid fracture
Anyone who seeks medical help for a suspected fracture should undergo an x-ray.
It should not be difficult for medical practitioners to reach a putative diagnosis, as anyone who has pain and swelling after a fall is likely to have sustained a fracture. Even if it turns out that the patient has simply sprained the joint, it is important to rule out a fracture with an x-ray.
However, scaphoid fractures are slightly tricky because the injury cannot be seen from all angles. Anterior Posterior (AP) and lateral views do not adequately demonstrate whether or not the scaphoid has been damaged. Therefore the radiographer (i.e. the clinician performing the x-ray) must ensure that he/she takes images that sufficiently reveal the scaphoid bone.
Second presentation to hospital
Even if images are taken at all the necessary angles, a scaphoid fracture may not be explicitly visible on the patient's first x-ray. This means that medical practitioners must advise a patient to return, should their symptoms fail to resolve.
In the event that the patient does return complaining of persisting symptoms, another x-ray should be carried out. This may reveal an injury that could not previously be seen.
Treating a scaphoid fracture
Once a scaphoid fracture is diagnosed, a suitable course of treatment must be decided upon. Some patients will need to have the bone immobilised with a cast, after which the bone will heal within weeks or months. Some will require surgical treatment, during which screws, plates and bone grafts may be inserted to hold the broken bone together.
Delayed diagnosis and treatment of scaphoid fracture
Even if a wrist fracture is not immediately diagnosed, it should be diagnosed upon review – which must be no more than 14 days after the original attendance.
As long as a timely diagnosis is achieved, the patient faces a positive prognosis. The immobilisation of the wrist should be sufficient to enable the bone to unite, meaning the need for surgery is avoided. The fracture should heal well, leaving the patient free (or with very few) symptoms.
But if there is a delay, the patient will be forced to endure prolonged pain and suffering while they attempt to go about their everyday life with a fractured bone. Once the injury is accurately confirmed, it may be too late for conservative treatment and an operation will be mandatory. This is because the bone may already have knitted together. However, it will not have been properly aligned, so surgery will be required to correct the deformity.
Even with this treatment, the patient may not make a full recovery. He/she may remain in constant pain and have limited mobility around the wrist and thumb. This will be especially difficult if the patient's dominant hand is affected.
Consequently the patient may have trouble carrying out routine tasks, such as dressing, writing and driving. This can impact upon their employment capabilities, particularly if the individual works in a trade such as carpentry or another form of manual labour.
Wrist fracture medical negligence
If a scaphoid fracture is not diagnosed and treated within a reasonable amount of time, it may give rise to a medical negligence claim. The negligence may be on the part of a GP and/or a hospital, and can include examples such as:
- Failing to consider the possibility of a scaphoid fracture when the patient first seeks medical help
- Failing to examine the wrist to test for tenderness around the scaphoid
- Failing to take x-ray images that visualise the scaphoid
- Failing to diagnose a scaphoid fracture
- Failing to advise a patient to return for another examination, should their symptoms continue
- Failing to arrange further x-rays when the patient re-presents to hospital/a GP
- Failing to treat a scaphoid fracture
Can I claim for a missed scaphoid fracture?
If you experienced a substandard level of medical care while suffering from a wrist fracture, you could be entitled to make a medical negligence claim. If successful, you would be awarded compensation for the damages you have wrongfully incurred.
Your compensation settlement would include any money that you have lost as a direct result of your injuries, including both past loss of earnings and future loss of earnings. If your ability to work has been affected by the negligence, this could be a substantial sum.
Your compensation settlement will also incorporate the physical and emotional damage you have sustained. Many people with permanent scaphoid injuries develop depression and an adjustment disorder. This will all be taken into consideration when your damages are calculated.
Contact us today
To find out more about making a medical negligence claim, please get in touch with our team today. We will advise whether or not you are eligible to pursue a claim for compensation. If so, we can help you get the financial redress you deserve.
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