Conservatively Managed, Displaced Scaphoid Fracture in a Young, Female Collegiate Basketball Player

Abstract

Fractures of the scaphoid bone occur in 60-70% of wrist bone fractures. It most often occurs after a fall onto outstretched hand injury. Many times, the diagnosis of a scaphoid fracture is missed due to the unique anatomy and positioning of this carpal bone. Treatment options vary depending on the type of fracture and degree of displacement. We present the case of a 19-year-old female patient. She reported to the urgent care facility after a fall on an outstretched hand while playing basketball. She was diagnosed with a wrist sprain. After having continued pain she sought care at the sports medicine clinic where she was diagnosed with a displaced scaphoid fracture. She was managed conservatively with thumb-spica casting and later adjuvant therapy treatments with low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) technology.