How is occult fracture diagnosed?

A possible occult fracture is a suspected broken bone that doesn’t show up on X-rays. Accidents, repetitive injuries, and normal stresses on weak bones can all cause occult fractures. The pain from occult fractures gets worse with activity. MRI is one of the best tools for diagnosing occult fractures.

How do you diagnose a scaphoid fracture?

What tests are done to diagnose a scaphoid fracture?

1. X-rays: An X-ray will confirm any scaphoid or other fractures and show how damaged your bones are.
2. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Your healthcare provider might use an MRI to get a complete picture of the damage to your bones and the area around them.

Which examination is the most accurate in a suspected scaphoid fracture?

Bone scintigraphy and MRI have equally high sensitivity and high diagnostic value for excluding scaphoid fracture; however, MRI is more specific and better for confirming scaphoid fracture.

Is a scaphoid fracture hard to diagnose?

Diagnosis of a scaphoid fracture can sometimes be difficult, as not all show up on X-rays. Treatment is usually with a cast worn on your arm up to your elbow for 6-12 weeks. Sometimes surgery is advised. Correct diagnosis and prompt treatment of a scaphoid fracture can help to reduce complications.

What is an occult fracture of scaphoid?

A break in the bone that cannot be seen on x-ray yet is called an “occult” fracture. If you are tender directly over the scaphoid bone (which is located in the hollow at the thumb side of the wrist as shown in Figure 2), your healthcare provider might recommend wearing a splint to be safe.

Does an occult fracture need a cast?

Sometimes occult fractures need to be treated with surgery where the bone is held together with pins, screws, or metal plates. In most situations the bone will heal naturally with cast immobilisation. Bones heal through a process of union.

What is an occult scaphoid fracture?

Will a CT scan show a scaphoid fracture?

CT is an accurate and reliable source of imaging to diagnose scaphoid fractures and has been shown to be more sensitive than bone scintigraphy (sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predicted value of CT is 100% compared to 78%, 90%, 78% and 90%, respectively, for bone scintigraphy).

Where do you feel pain with a scaphoid fracture?

Scaphoid fractures usually cause pain and swelling in the anatomic snuffbox and on the thumb side of the wrist. The pain may be severe when you move your thumb or wrist, or when you try to pinch or grasp something.

Are occult fractures common?

The prevalence of occult fracture in the extremities was 10.1% (550/5,466). Supracondylar fractures were the most prevalent (2,325/5,466, 42.5%) but had the lowest rate of occult fractures (117/2,325, 5.0%).

How do you tell if you have a Bennett fracture?

Symptoms of Bennett’s fracture

1. Severe pain and weakness of the thumb.
2. Swelling of the base of the thumb and back of the hand.
3. Bruising.
4. Misalignment of the thumb.
5. Trouble moving the thumb.
6. Numbness or coldness in thumb.