The scaphoid bone is an obliquely orientated bone on the radial (thumb) side of the wrist, between the distal carpal row and the radius. Wrist injury is a common presentation to the Emergency Department (ED) in the UK. Amongst these patients, the scaphoid is the most commonly fractured carpal bone, accounting for 51-90% of carpal fractures and between 2-7% of all fractures.~Given that: 1) various clinical complications may arise from a misdiagnosed scaphoid fracture; and 2) clinical and radiographic diagnosis of scaphoid fracture is often challenging, particularly at the time of presentation, this study aims to evaluate whether the use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in the investigation of patients presenting with a suspected scaphoid fracture, with negative findings from the initial conventional radiography (4-view plain x-ray), leads to improved levels of efficiency, quality of care and patient experience.~This study is a single centre randomised, non-blinded, prospective study. Participants will be randomised, following the initial negative conventional radiography, to either: no further imaging at A&E (consistent with current clinical practice); or 2) wrist MRI. The study considers a follow-up period of 6 months.
Given that: 1) various clinical complications may arise from a misdiagnosed scaphoid fracture; and 2) clinical and radiographic diagnosis of scaphoid fracture is often challenging, particularly at the time of presentation, this study aims to evaluate whether the use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in the investigation of patients presenting with a suspected scaphoid fracture, with negative findings from the initial conventional radiography (4-view plain x-ray), leads to improved levels of efficiency, quality of care and patient experience.~This study is a single centre randomised, non-blinded, prospective study. Participants will be randomised, following the initial negative conventional radiography, to either: no further imaging at A&E (consistent with current clinical practice); or 2) wrist MRI. The study considers a follow-up period of 6 months.