Scaphoid fractures tend to take longer to heal than other breaks. You may have to wear a cast or splint for up to 6 months. You will visit with your doctor throughout the recovery process, and the doctor may change recommendations based on how you’re healing.

What is the fastest way to heal a scaphoid bone?

  1. Advance therapy with gentle AROM of the wrist and gentle opposition and flexion/extension exercises to the thumb.
  2. Continue elbow and shoulder exercises.
  3. Remove the short-arm cast at 6 weeks if the fracture appears to be radiographically healed.
  4. Use a wrist splint for protection.

What happens if scaphoid doesn’t heal after surgery?

If the fracture doesn’t heal properly, the bone can collapse, and the patient can develop degenerative changes in the wrist. If a scaphoid nonunion is seen on x-rays, the surgeon might fix the fracture surgically and add bone graft to help the bone heal.

How long does pain last after scaphoid fracture?

A scaphoid fracture that is correctly treated soon after the injury will take about 12 weeks to heel. But an untreated fracture may take as long as six months to recover from. Untreated patients will also usually experience long-term problems moving their wrist or other complications (see below).

How can I strengthen my wrist after scaphoid surgery?

Wrist Fracture, Scaphoid: Rehabilitation Exercises

  1. Flexion: Gently bend your wrist forward. Hold for 5 seconds. Do 2 sets of 15.
  2. Extension: Gently bend your wrist backward. Hold this position 5 seconds.
  3. Side to side: Gently move your wrist from side to side (a handshake motion). Hold for 5 seconds in each direction.

How do you rehab a broken scaphoid?

What can you do after scaphoid surgery?

If you have a nonunion, you will have to wear a short arm thumb-spica cast or brace for at least three months after the surgery. Scaphoid fractures take longer to heal because there is poor blood supply to the bone. For patients with scaphoid nonunions, we often prescribe a bone stimulator to help the bone heal.

How can I strengthen my wrist after scaphoid fracture?