The Value of Snuffbox Tenderness: A Sign of Things to Come

Abstract

The scaphoid is the most commonly fractured bone within the carpals, accounting for up to 70% of all carpal fractures and frequently occurs following a fall onto an outstretched hand. Despite the high frequency of injury and a common mechanism of injury, it is common for a scaphoid fracture to go undiagnosed. In this setting, the patient is now at risk for numerous long-term complications. Using a case report of a 30-year-old male who had improper management of an acute scaphoid fracture, this article will review the proper management in the acute setting with advanced imaging and briefly discuss the long-term complications of an improperly treated fracture.