Scaphoid Fracture: Examination

A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps:

• General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body weight, height; further:
  • Inspection (viewing).
    • Skin (normal: intact; abrasions/wounds, redness, hematomas (bruises), scars) and mucous membranes.
    • Joint (abrasions/wounds, swelling (tumor), redness (rubor), hyperthermia (calor); injury indications such as hematoma formation) [swelling of wrist area and limitation of movement].
  • Palpation (palpation) of prominent bone points, tendons, ligaments; musculature; joint (joint effusion?); soft tissue swelling; pressure painfulness (localization!) [pain triggerable when thumb is compressed?; typical pressure pain points: Tabatière (frequent), proximal scaphoid pole from dorsal (“back of the hand”) and tuberosity from palmar/palm side].
  • Assessment of blood flow, motor function, and sensitivity:
    • Circulation (palpation of pulses).
    • Motor function: testing of gross strength in lateral comparison.
    • Sensibility (neurological examination)

Square brackets [ ] indicate possible pathological (pathological) physical findings.