Scaphoid fractures result from a fall onto your outstretched hand. You might have pain, swelling, and/or bruising. This commonly is misdiagnosed as a “sprain” and unfortunately not discovered until long after the injury.
Initial X-rays might or might not show the fracture. If you have a lot of tenderness at the “snuffbox” at the base of the thumb side of the wrist, a scaphoid fracture should be suspected and you should be placed in a splint and reevaluated in a few weeks, when the break might be more visible on the X-ray. An MRI also can be used to determine early whether there is a fracture.