Final answer:
A scaphoid fracture is a common carpal bone injury that presents with deep wrist pain and can be misdiagnosed as a sprain. Complications include bone necrosis and degenerative joint disease due to the poor blood supply. Differentiating this from a Colles fracture, which affects the distal radius, is essential for appropriate treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of this question is a scaphoid fracture, often caused by a fall on an outstretched hand leading to an injured wrist. The signs and symptoms ('S&Sx') typically include deep pain at the lateral side of the wrist. An initial misdiagnosis of a wrist sprain is common, partly because the scaphoid has a poor blood supply which can complicate the healing process, shown in delayed presentation on a radiograph.
One of the most significant potential complications of a scaphoid fracture is bone necrosis, due to this lack of blood supply, which can lead to degenerative joint disease of the wrist.
A Colles fracture, a separate but related condition, typically affects the distal radius and is recognized by a 'dinner fork' deformity of the forearm. It's important to distinguish between these two types of fractures because they affect different bones and have different treatment implications.
Healing a scaphoid fracture can be difficult, and sometimes surgery may be necessary to repair the fracture and restore function. Treatment and recovery depend significantly on the location and severity of the fracture.