Scaphoid (older injury) and Dequervains Tendonitis

[lilydee]

March 2009 I fell, outstretched hand. Right hand. I had an xray the following day for the area they called scaphoid bone. Nothing obvious on xray. Right wrist was placed in a half splint, followed up with an orthopedic (not a hand specialist) two weeks later. Second xray taken. He said nothing obvious on xray, could be cracked but didn't know for sure. Was told to wear the splint for a few more weeks and then remove. That was it.

Since that time I've had a mild tenderness in the scaphoid area. It is bothersome but it takes alot for me to say that because I'm stubborn. However I have noticed the pain gradually becoming worse. Gripping or lifting objects aggravates it more. Noticed lately slight swelling in the region.

I also had Dequervains Tendonitis in my left wrist 6 years ago. After other treatments did not help I had surgery.

The pain I feel in my right wrist is also in a similar region like I had in my left wrist with Dequervains.. However I also do feel pain in the scaphoid.

Can an older scaphoid injury and dequervains tendonitis have similar symptoms?

Would pain, tenderness from an older scaphoid injury just remain in the scaphoid bone area or spreads?

I heard that an injury to the scaphoid is not good. Besides xrays are there are other tests checking for scaphoid problem?

Thank you for your help.

[Michael L Gross, MD]

See an orthopedist, and have an MRI or a bone scan, either ine will be definitive for a scaphoid injury that is a month old. Treatment for non-displaced injuries is usually casting for up to twelve weeks. Displace injuries are usually treated surgically. Either way, treatment is best now because it is important to avoid further injury to the tenuous blood supply for the scaphoid.

[lilydee]

The blood supply to the scaphoid is damaged? Is it treatable and what type of treatment?

[ktez]

I don't know anything about dequairvains but your injury sounds very similar to mine. I had nothing obvious show up on xrays either, and it took an MRI to show the problem. My scaphoid was not fractured, but the trauma from the fall damaged the blood supply to it and it is slowly dying. I would find a good hand specialist and try to get some answers.