Scaphoid Fractures
Wrist is made of:
Two forearm bones and eight carpal bones. Among the carpal bones is a small bone on the thumb side of the wrist above the radius, called scaphoid bone. It looks more or less like a boat and provides both motion and stability to the wrist joint. When pain and tenderness is observed just below the base of the thumb after a trauma, it signifies that scaphoid bone may have incurred a fracture.
Scaphoid bone is divided into:
Three parts - the proximal, distal and waist and the most common part to sustain break is the middle part referred to as waist. Scaphoid may break because of a traumatic fall on the outstretched hand, while playing sports or in an accident. Known to be very common fractures they can be sustained by any age group including the children.
Often mistaken as wrist sprain:
Scaphoid fractures are conclusively diagnosed after conducting certain imaging tests such as X-ray, MRI or bone scan and physical examination of prevalent and intense pain that increases while grasping or pinching objects, swelling and deformity in the wrist. It is essential to effectively and immediately treat the fractures as some parts of scaphoid receive poor supply of blood and take a longer time to heal.
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An insight into Dr. Gupta’s professional profile:
Dr. Vikas Gupta at present the head of Shoulder and Hand Division at Max Healthcare is one of the best hand and shoulder specialists in upper extremity in present times. With an experience of more than 25 years in the field and over 6000 successful surgeries Dr. Gupta is an acclaimed professional who passionately believes in accurate diagnosis and deliverance of techniques to relief his patients of each and any debilitation in the hand.
As an MBBS and MS in Orthopedics from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi and post graduate studies from Germany and USA, Dr. Gupta joined AIIMS as associate professor to acquire experience when he started with his professional career. Gradually he gained finesse in his surgical impartation and tact in his diagnosis; he changed his forte from AIIMS to Fortis to Medanta-The Medicity.
Introduction of many international and painless techniques are credited to him and he has been recognized by the department of medical sciences for his contribution and honored with many prestigious awards along with emerging as an influential role model for his peers and interns.
Hand2Shoulder Clinic on National Geographic
Case operated by Dr. Vikas Gupta covered by National Geographic Team for serial "Emergency Room". This video highlights careless attitude can lead to grievous injuries which can lead to permanent disability and these if treated properly on time can bring back person towards normal life.....
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Casting / Splinting:
When the fractures are nondisplaced then there are effectively placed in a cast or splint to ensure protection and stabilization for a few weeks. The cast or splint stretches beyond the elbow on one end to the hand on the other to keep that entire area immobilized.
Reduction and Fixation:
The surgeon makes an incision and exposes the broken bone to reduce and realign it back into its anatomical position. He then uses metal implants to fix them together for stabilization. After performing the surgery he closes the cut and places the wrist in a cast or splint.
Arthroscopic Repair:
After making incisions the surgeon places an arthroscope inside it to view the damaged bone. He then makes other very small incisions and repairs the broken bone by holding their ends together by metal implants. This is a minimally invasive surgery.
Bone Grafting:
In some cases bone grafting is taken up as an effective technique. Under the technique a new bone is placed around the broken bone to stimulate bone production which in turn enhances healing procedure.
