What Do You Mean My Scaphoid Was Already Broken?

The scaphoid is one of the small bones in the wrist, located near the base of the thumb. It helps connect the two rows of wrist bones and plays a central role in wrist motion. Because of how it sits and how its blood supply is arranged, the scaphoid heals differently from most other bones — and its fractures can be easy to miss.

When a scaphoid fracture does not heal, it is called a scaphoid nonunion. This can leave the wrist weak, painful and unstable long after an injury, sometimes for months or even years.

How a Scaphoid Fracture Gets Missed

A fall onto an outstretched hand can break the scaphoid. The pain may be just around the base of the thumb and can feel like a mild sprain. Initial X-rays do not always show the break, especially in the first days after injury. If the wrist is treated as a simple sprain and returned to activity, the fracture may not heal properly.

Signs a Nonunion May Have Developed

• Ongoing wrist pain or aching that never fully resolved after an injury
• Weakness and difficulty with grip or lifting
• A feeling of instability in the wrist
• Pain that worsens with activity and settles with rest
• Tenderness over the scaphoid, near the base of the thumb

Why a Nonunion Matters

An unhealed scaphoid changes how the wrist moves and bears load. Over time this can contribute to wrist arthritis and a progressive collapse of the normal wrist alignment. The earlier a nonunion is recognized and treated, the better the chance of restoring a stable, durable wrist.

What Treatment Involves

Treatment depends on how long the fracture has been unhealed and the condition of the bone. A fresh nonunion may be treated with a cast or surgically with a screw. A longer-standing nonunion may require bone grafting to encourage healing. The goal is to achieve bone union, restore wrist stability and relieve pain.