Why the scaphoid matters
A scaphoid fracture can be easy to miss: the wrist may just seem sprained, and the break does not always show on the first X-ray. The scaphoid also has a fragile blood supply, so a missed or untreated fracture can fail to heal and lead to arthritis years later. Persistent pain in the hollow at the base of the thumb after a fall deserves proper assessment, sometimes with an MRI or CT scan.
Treatment
Many scaphoid fractures heal well in a cast. For displaced breaks, or where earlier movement matters, the fracture can be fixed with a small screw through a keyhole approach, often as a day case. Fractures that have failed to heal can be reconstructed with bone graft and fixation.
Broken wrists (distal radius fractures) are treated on their merits: a well-aligned break does well in a cast, while displaced fractures may be better held with a plate and screws to restore the joint surface and allow earlier movement.
Recovery
Scaphoid healing is checked with imaging before heavy use resumes; depending on the fracture and treatment this takes roughly six to twelve weeks. After wrist fixation, gentle movement often starts within a couple of weeks, with hand therapy guiding the return of strength.
This page is general information, not personal medical advice. The British Society for Surgery of the Hand also publishes helpful patient guides. For advice about your own hand, book an assessment.