The wrist is made up of a collection of bones including, carpal bones. One of the carpal bones is known as a scaphoid bone, which is a bone underneath your thumb.
The scaphoid bone is important for mobility and stability of the wrist. A scaphoid fracture will usually be caused as a result of a fall on an outstretched hand.
Scaphoid fractures can be difficult to identify as they do not usually cause significant swelling or bruising. If a fracture is suspected then an x-ray should be requested.
If the x-ray is clear but the clinical picture suggests a fracture, then medical professionals should manage the patient as having a suspected fracture. Delaying the diagnosis of a scaphoid fracture can cause the wrist to develop long term problems.
Diagnosing a scaphoid fracture can be difficult as they do not usually cause significant swelling or bruising. When presenting at your GP or at the Emergency Department following your injury, it is important that the medical professionals who are dealing with you takes a detailed account of what has happened and what symptoms you are experiencing. If a scaphoid fracture is suspected then an x-ray should be requested.
It is known that scaphoid fractures are not always visible on x-rays carried out shortly after the injury. If the x-ray does not show a fracture to the scaphoid bone, but the clinical picture does suggest a fracture, then the medical professionals should manage the patient as having a suspected fracture.
If there is a suspected diagnosis of a scaphoid fracture, the wrist should be immobilised and a repeat x-ray should be arranged, if a fracture was not visible on the first x-ray. If a diagnosis of a scaphoid fracture is made, then treatment will depend on whether the fracture is undisplaced or displaced.
If a fracture is undisplaced then the patient can be treated with a plaster cast for a period of six to twelve weeks. Following this an x-ray, CT scan and follow up may be required to make sure that the scaphoid fracture has united following treatment. If the fracture is displaced, then the patient usually requires operative treatment and fixation.
Scaphoid fractures can often be missed or misdiagnosed as a sprain, rather than a fracture. If there is a delay or a failure in diagnosing the fracture, then the risk of non-union or delayed union increases. This can therefore result in significant consequences for the patient including; decreased grip, decreased range of motion and development of osteoarthritis.
Compensation can therefore be claimed for pain, suffering and loss of amenity. It can also cover any treatment that you might need in the future to help with your condition, as well as any out-of-pocket expenses you might have had, such as lost earnings.
Yes, you can. You can complain to find out what happened, to ask for an apology or to ask that policies or procedures are changed as a result of your experiences. If you’d like to have a copy of our template complaints letter and complaints information pack, please contact us to speak to one of the team.
Waldrons Solicitors are here to help those who have received negligent treatment from a medical professional, which has resulted in a delay in diagnosing a scaphoid fracture, or a misdiagnosis.
Get in touch with us for a free initial consultation and we can talk through your individual circumstances with you. If you wish to pursue your claim, a specialised solicitor will talk you through the process and explain what should be expected.
The majority of our claims are funded by way of Conditional Fee Agreement, more commonly known as a ‘No Win, No Fee’ agreement. This simply means that if your claim is unsuccessful, we, as your solicitors, will not charge you anything for the work we have done in relation to your case, and you will not be required to pay for our services so long as you keep to the terms of the funding agreement.
In cases where the claim is successful, the majority of the legal costs will be recovered from the Defendant. Some of the costs are recovered from your compensation, but those costs are limited to a fixed percentage – a maximum of 25% of the compensation recovered.
Here at Waldrons Solicitors, we have an experienced team of Lawyers who are dedicated to getting the best possible outcome for you. We aim to investigate any concerns and find out exactly what has happened, with the aid of leading medical experts. We will assist you in recovering the compensation you deserve.
As well as telephone consultations, we offer in-person meetings and home visits to make this experience as stress-free as possible.
Often in the first instance access to your medical records will be required. The records can then be considered by a medical expert who will offer their own medical opinion in relation to the possible claim. A medical examination will also be required in some circumstances.
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