Which wrist bone is most commonly fractured?

The scaphoid bone is the most commonly fractured bone in the wrist due to its anatomical position and the role it plays in wrist mechanics. Located on the radial side of the wrist, the scaphoid is crucial for connecting the radius to the hand. It has a limited blood supply, which can lead to complications when it's fractured. When a person falls on an outstretched hand — a common injury mechanism — the scaphoid is often impacted and can break.

The fractures can sometimes go unnoticed initially because of the vague symptoms and the bone's deep location in the wrist. Due to its unique shape, fractures in the scaphoid can also lead to complications such as avascular necrosis, where sections of the bone fail to heal properly due to the limited blood flow. This makes it critical for healthcare professionals, especially athletic trainers, to be vigilant in recognizing potential scaphoid fractures in athletes who present with wrist pain after a fall or impact.

In comparison, while other wrist bones like the trapezium, capitate, and lunate can also sustain fractures, they do not occur with the same frequency as scaphoid fractures, mainly due to the scaphoid's positioning and the typical mechanisms of injury associated with the wrist