Scaphoid nonunion injury

[icu812]

My son broke the scaphoid bone in his wrist in August. We thought it was just sprained and he played all football and basketball season with it (mistake). He is having surgery this week to have a piece of his hip bone inserted into his wrist along with a screw. Then 3 months in cast before starting physical therapy. His jr yr of football seems to be in doubt. Anyone have any personal experience with this injury? I've read a lot of stuff on the Internet and it looks like a long recovery.

[slingshot]

My son broke the scaphoid bone in his wrist in August. We thought it was just sprained and he played all football and basketball season with it (mistake). He is having surgery this week to have a piece of his hip bone inserted into his wrist along with a screw. Then 3 months in cast before starting physical therapy. His jr yr of football seems to be in doubt. Anyone have any personal experience with this injury? I've read a lot of stuff on the Internet and it looks like a long recovery.Yup on all accounts. The scaphoid bone has a very poor blood supply and very frequently will require surgery when fractured--even if the treating doctor did everything right. I'm a family practice doc and treat uncomplicated fractures frequently--not the scaphoid, send those 100% of the time to a specialist. Know you've prob already got a surgeon lined up, but can tell you from a lot of experience that Dr Philip Hansen at Baylor in Dallas is the guru...

[icu812]

Thanks for the info slingshot. We learned its better to tell the trainer about every little injury. I just thought no way he can play like he did with a broken bone. Dumb move. The MRI showed his blood supply to the bone looked ok though. Any advise on a bone stimulator or supplements to help the healing?

[Manso/V8]

I don't know if it would help speed healing for this type of injury, but PRP - platelet rich plasma injections can help to speed other types of injuries.

[slingshot]

Thanks for the info slingshot. We learned its better to tell the trainer about every little injury. I just thought no way he can play like he did with a broken bone. Dumb move. The MRI showed his blood supply to the bone looked ok though. Any advise on a bone stimulator or supplements to help the healing?Hard to say without seeing the MRI... but if it looks good that is a great sign. If the artery that comes in the proximal end of the bone is severed (roughly 25% of the time) the distal portion of the bone will die and you end up with necrotic bone and a chronic painful wrist. A good multivitamin and some extra calcium (500-1000 mg per day) and Vit D (1000-2000 IU daily) will maximize bone healing. Immobilization is paramount in healing though... I doubt the benefit of PRP for this type injury--others may disagree. Good luck to you and your son--Hope he heals up quickly and more importantly, completely.