What can I do about a missed wrist fracture?
Scaphoid fractures of the wrist are the most common arm fracture and account for up to 7% of all bone fractures. They also happen to be one of the fractures most commonly missed on clinical or radiographic examination.
If left untreated, deformity, arthritis and instability can develop within five years, causing permanent disability.
These types of fractures are most common in young adult, active patients and are often caused by a fall onto an outstretched hand when taking part in sport. With an average injury age of 29, the disabling consequences of a missed wrist fracture are significant and often life changing.
What to look out for
The pain location and nature of the trauma often lead to an incorrect diagnosis of sprain injury, and it is estimated that 25% of scaphoid wrist fractures are not evident on initial plain radiographs.
Look out for central wrist pain that radiates down the forearm on movement, and swelling at the base of the thumb. Think about the mechanism of your injury and whether it fits with a scaphoid fracture.
Even if the fracture does not show on a scan, doctors should be alive to the commonality of the fracture being missed. If clinical suspicion is high despite the scan then your wrist should be immobilized in a splint or a cast for 7-14 days and the scans repeated. MRI or CT scans should be taken if the medical professionals are still concerned you might have a fracture but it does not show on the second scan.
MRI scans are best for diagnosing this specific fracture type and can also identify any accompanying ligament injury or bone issues.
Depending on the placement and severity of the wrist fracture it may be dealt with non-operatively but most displaced fractures will require surgery.
When can I claim for a missed wrist fracture?
Although missing this type of fracture is common it does not mean that it is acceptable medical practice. Doctors are encouraged to work with specialists to minimise the known risk and to make the correct diagnosis before avoidable harm is caused.
Because the chance of a missed or delayed diagnosis is so high, hospitals and doctors have a duty look out for this type of injury and often specific protocols will be in place to avoid the risk of missing a wrist fracture.
It is precisely because it’s such a common mistake that there is a greater need for more care and caution to be taken, and the fact that these fractures are often missed is not therefore a valid excuse for medical professionals to hide behind.
How we can help you
If you have suffered a missed or delayed diagnosis of the scaphoid or any fracture, then please call our helpline on 0333 888 0412 or email brief details of your case to us in complete confidence at [email protected]. We will investigate your case free of charge and provide details of No Win, No Fee funding.