Question

Margaret age 55 presents to you for evaluation of left hand and wrist pain with swelling after a slip and fall on the ice yesterday. On exam, you note tenderness to her anatomical snuffbox, you know this probably indicates:

A. Ulnar styloid fx
B. Scaphoid fx
C. Hamate fx
D. Radial head fx

Answer 1

B. Scaphoid fx. The tenderness to the anatomical snuffbox indicates a scaphoid fx, which is a fracture of the scaphoid bone in the wrist. This type of fracture is common after a fall onto the hand and can result in complications if not properly treated.

Step-by-step explanation:

Tenderness to the anatomical snuffbox is indicative of a scaphoid fx, or a fracture of the scaphoid bone in the wrist. The scaphoid is the most commonly fractured carpal bone, often resulting from a fall onto the hand. Even though the initial diagnosis may be a wrist sprain, an X-ray taken after tissue swelling has subsided can reveal the fracture. Due to the poor blood supply to the scaphoid bone, healing can be slow and may lead to complications like bone necrosis and degenerative joint disease of the wrist.