Question

How are acute scaphoid fractures diagnosed?

1) By clinical examination
2) By X-ray
3) By MRI
4) By CT scan

Answer 1

Acute scaphoid fractures are diagnosed using a combination of clinical examination and imaging techniques, with X-rays being the most commonly used method.

Step-by-step explanation:

Acute scaphoid fractures are diagnosed using a combination of clinical examination and imaging techniques. The initial diagnosis is often made through clinical examination, as the patient may experience deep pain at the lateral wrist. However, a definitive diagnosis is made through imaging, typically an X-ray.

An X-ray taken several weeks after the injury, once tissue swelling has subsided, will reveal the fracture. This is because the scaphoid bone may not initially appear broken on an X-ray immediately after the injury.