Wrist, hand and finger X-rays (scaphoid, bone age)

These X-rays show the bones of the wrist, hand and fingers. They are requested after a fall on the hand, a finger injury, or for joint pain or deformity. The scaphoid is a small wrist bone that is often fractured in a fall onto an outstretched hand. It has specific views; its fracture is sometimes invisible at first: if in doubt, your doctor may request a follow-up X-ray a few days later or another examination (CT scan, MRI). In children, an X-ray of the left hand is used to estimate bone age, meaning the maturity of the bones, when a doctor is monitoring growth. The examination may cover one side or both, from the front and/or the side.