twizliz
07-16-2006, 09:31 PM
This just isn't my week. I fell out of bed and hurt my ankle and wrist.. I went to the dr and they did xrays on both. They were clear, but said that there is a bone that sometimes doesn't show a break until a week later in the arm (scapula?) ... I'm still in a lot of pain in my arm and my thumb is swollen to twice its size. I went to the dr on Friday and he said to call in a week if it is still bothering me... I'm just concerned about the swolleness of my thumb.
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Misty800
07-16-2006, 11:26 PM
Icing may help the swelling go down in your thumb. I like to use ice-water and soak hand or use a package of frozen peas and place over a cloth on the thumb.
Keep the thumb elevated as much as possible.
Keep the thumb elevated as much as possible.
kehorner
07-17-2006, 01:09 AM
It's the scaphoid bone, in the wrist. Anyway, it is true that a fracture may not show up there for a week or two. Repeat x-rays or an MRI or other tests might be needed to determine if there is a fracture. Fractures of the scaphoid can be problematic because of a limited blood supply to the bone. So, if it isn't better in a week, go back for another x-ray.
twizliz
07-17-2006, 10:33 PM
Thanks for the info.. is there anyway I could tell if it was fractured? I have limited mobility with it, but when I move it. It kind of feels like someone is driving a nail through the top of my thumb, through it and then down to my wrist. If it is fractured, what would they do for it?
kehorner
07-19-2006, 12:27 AM
If it is a broken scaphoid, they will generally start out with a cast, but will monitor it for signs of the bone not healing properly. If it doesn't heal, surgery may be necessary. This is why it's important to follow up if the pain does not get any better.
You can palpate the scaphoid to see if it is tender. When you extend your thumb, you can see a pair of tendons pop out at the base of the thumb/hand on the back. Put your finger in the space between those tendons down near the wrist. Then bend your wrist. Try this on your good wrist first. You'll notice that it is a bit tender normally, so go more on whether it hurts more on one side than the other.
And of course, if you're not sure and the pain continues, go back to the doctor.
You can palpate the scaphoid to see if it is tender. When you extend your thumb, you can see a pair of tendons pop out at the base of the thumb/hand on the back. Put your finger in the space between those tendons down near the wrist. Then bend your wrist. Try this on your good wrist first. You'll notice that it is a bit tender normally, so go more on whether it hurts more on one side than the other.
And of course, if you're not sure and the pain continues, go back to the doctor.
Sharon76
07-19-2006, 07:20 AM
Hi Twiz
you're scapula isnt in your arm it is actually the proper name for your shoulder blade.
So unless you're not feeling pain around the shoulder blade i wouldnt worry too much,
you're scapula isnt in your arm it is actually the proper name for your shoulder blade.
So unless you're not feeling pain around the shoulder blade i wouldnt worry too much,
twizliz
07-20-2006, 12:17 AM
Sharon- thanks for your help, but if you google the word it is in the wrist.
Sharon76
07-20-2006, 05:32 AM
The two bones in your wrist is your ulna and radius, these join at the elbow and connect at the wrist where they cross over.
In anatomy, the scapula, or shoulder blade, is the bone that connects the humerus (arm bone) with the clavicle (collar bone).
The scapula forms the posterior part of the shoulder girdle. In humans, it is a flat bone, roughly triangular in shape. It has two surfaces, three borders, and three angles.
You may be getting confused with the scaphoid, which is a small bone in the wrist, this bone also has the name navicular and it is burried inside the wrist joint. MAny people with this fracrure do sometimes overlook it as it mainly feels like a bad sprain not as painful as a break. Also because of the location of the bone it can cause swelling around the joint which makes it difficult for the break to show up on x ray.
Thanks for the advice on googling the word but i don't need to as i studied a PHD in anatomy. So,i either had a poor lecturer who didnt inform us that the scapula is in the wrist or in america ( if that is where you from) you refer to the bone in the wrist as the scapula???
Anyway, just wanted to help and offer reassurance
In anatomy, the scapula, or shoulder blade, is the bone that connects the humerus (arm bone) with the clavicle (collar bone).
The scapula forms the posterior part of the shoulder girdle. In humans, it is a flat bone, roughly triangular in shape. It has two surfaces, three borders, and three angles.
You may be getting confused with the scaphoid, which is a small bone in the wrist, this bone also has the name navicular and it is burried inside the wrist joint. MAny people with this fracrure do sometimes overlook it as it mainly feels like a bad sprain not as painful as a break. Also because of the location of the bone it can cause swelling around the joint which makes it difficult for the break to show up on x ray.
Thanks for the advice on googling the word but i don't need to as i studied a PHD in anatomy. So,i either had a poor lecturer who didnt inform us that the scapula is in the wrist or in america ( if that is where you from) you refer to the bone in the wrist as the scapula???
Anyway, just wanted to help and offer reassurance
twizliz
07-20-2006, 11:10 PM
Sharon-Thanks, my bad.. you are right about the word of the bone in my wrist. It is in fact that bone. I called the dr today and they said that I should either go in or for occupational therapy (is that like physical therapy? because I'm not sure a week later is the best time to start it as I am still taking vicadin for the pain and it hurts all the time).
Sharon76
07-21-2006, 05:53 AM
Hopefully the therapy may ease the pain for you and give you some movement back in the joint.
Good luck i hope it feels much better soon
Good luck i hope it feels much better soon