Missed Scaphoid Fracture

Stuart, 29 years old, Leicester

Stuart was working as a Prison Officer when he fell playing football and injured his right wrist. He attended his local A+E Department that day where a series of X-rays, which did not include scaphoid views, were taken. The X-rays were reviewed by a Consultant Radiologist who failed to find an injury. Stuart was advised that there was no fracture, he was given pain killers and discharged.

However Stuart continued to experience pain in the wrist and returned to hospital around two months later. Although he was seen by a nurse and Doctor, no further X-rays were obtained. He was re-assured that there was no bony injury and sent home.

After five months Stuart went to his GP with continued pain in his wrist. The GP requested a scaphoid X-ray, which subsequently revealed a displaced and un-united fracture of the scaphoid. The scaphoid is a small bone in the hand situated between the hand and forearm on the thumb-side of the wrist.

Stuart needed three operations to unite the fracture. All three operations failed and eventually the bone became avascular (lacked a blood supply).

Stuart was transferred to a second hospital and underwent a fourth operation to insert a bone graft but again this was unsuccessful. Stuart’s wrist is now distorted and he has a constant pain and discomfort in the wrist, with considerable risk of deterioration in the future. The wrist is also much scarred from the repeat operations.

Stuart felt that the fracture been correctly diagnosed at the time of the injury the wrist would have been in plaster for a number of months. He felt that it would have been likely that he would have made a full recovery had this been the case.

JMW Solicitors obtained expert evidence from both an Emergency Medicine Specialist and a Radiologist, and alleged that there had been a negligent failure to obtain scaphoid X-rays.

The hospital admitted that it was negligent to fail to x-ray with scaphoid views but argued that it would be difficult to determine that the bone would have healed in any event. However a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon confirmed that had the diagnosis been made the prospects of successful union were very good.

The case was settled and Stuart was awarded £232,500 compensation. Stuart could no longer work as a Prison Officer as his injury made it impossible for him to conduct a control and restraint manoeuvre.