The recent snow and icy conditions have surely caused someone you know to slip and fall, and while some may suffer just a bruise to their bottom and pride, others may suffer a fracture which they don't know about until it's too late - and that's why it's important to get physiotherapy assessment early.
I'm referring to the scaphoid bone on the thumb-side of the wrist which can be injured with a fall on an outstretched arm. If you hurt yourself sufficiently you will probably attend A & E and get an X-ray, however a fracture of this bone will not always show immediately.
If left untreated the bone can actually waste away due to poor blood supply. This can be remedied by bone-graft surgery (taking bone from another part of the body) but this is not always successful.
If pain is still significant after two weeks, you should consult a physiotherapist who can carry out specific tests to determine the likelihood of fracture, and if suspected request a repeat X-ray via your GP.
The fracture can then be managed successfully with cast immobilisation, and once removed physiotherapy should be commenced to get the forearm and wrist moving again.
Jonathan Gaul, Swinton Physiotherapy
