The scaphoid is located in the wrist and is one of eight small carpal bones on the thumb side of the wrist. The scaphoid provides motion and stability for the wrist. A fracture to the scaphoid can take longer to heal than other fractures, as parts of the scaphoid have a poor blood supply and a fracture can further disrupt this supply.

Scaphoid fractures: displaced and non-displaced

Scaphoid fractures can be classified as non-displaced fractures or displaced fractures.

A non-displaced scaphoid fracture is a break in the small scaphoid wrist bone where the broken pieces stay properly aligned.

A displaced scaphoid fracture is a broken wrist bone where the pieces of the small scaphoid bone have moved out of alignment.

Scaphoid fractures: union and non-union

A union of a scaphoid fracture means the broken bones of the scaphoid wrist bone have successfully healed back together into a single, solid piece.

A scaphoid non-union occurs when a broken scaphoid bone in the wrist fails to heal properly after treatment. Non-union is more common if the fracture is displaced.