Scaphoid Rehab Exercise

• Advance therapy with gentle AROM of the wrist and gentle opposition and flexion/extension exercises to the thumb.

• Continue elbow and shoulder exercises.

• Remove the short-arm cast at 6 weeks if the fracture appears to be radio-graphically healed.

• Use a wrist splint for protection.

 Physical Therapy

General principles for the rehabilitation of wrist injuries, including the rehabilitation of scaphoid fractures, include the following:

All of these injuries require some form of rehabilitation. Specific limitations apply to rehabilitation. Pain is one limiting factor, because it dictates the duration of immobilization and limits exercise designed to mobilize and strengthen the wrist.

Edema of the injured wrist is present to some degree and may involve the hand or entire upper extremity. Functional disuse in itself results in edema. The most important preventive measures are elevation and active motion of the uninjured joints. Modalities  may be used later for chronic edema associated with traumatic wrist injuries.

The wrist is always stiff after immobilization for more than a few weeks. Mobilization cannot be started until the injured tissue has healed enough to provide some degree of stability. Active wrist ROM exercises should be started as soon as the cast is removed. Pronation and supination should not be overlooked.

Mobilizing the joint is desirable before the bone and soft tissues have healed completely. Various splints are required to protect and support the wrist in its final stage of healing.