How to Treat FOOSH Injuries

FOOSH is an acronym for “Fall On an OutStretched Hand”. FOOSH can be from a simple or a traumatic fall and can occur from many activities like skiing, snowboarding, basketball, football, etc. But FOOSH injuries can even occur from a simple fall while walking.

With the turning of the seasons brings the wonderful accumulation of the that one word some people love, and others hate, snow. If we are going to mention snow, we cannot forget its partner, ice. This makes for the perfect conditions for a slip and fall right on that outstretched hand or even hands. Several people fall forward or backward and land on both hands causing injuries to both of their hands/arms.

Falls like these can cause all diverse types of injuries which could include a sprain or strain of the wrist, a scaphoid fracture, tears of ligaments, fractures of the radius and/or ulna, bruising and more. Your first line of treatment will more than likely consist of a trip to the emergency room where they will take x-rays and maybe even a CT or even an MRI. Here they make a diagnosis of the injury, splint the injured area, and send you to follow up with an orthopedist. Depending on the severity of your injury can result in numerous types of treatments. It could be something as simple as rest, to the point of needing surgery to repair the injury. In most cases, you will find yourself in a bulky cast at some point in the treatment. This means you will be in that heavy, awkward, smelly cast for typically 6-8 weeks.

If you find yourself in that situation, take the opportunity to make your recovery as comfortable as possible. Give us a call and our staff will assist you in the steps you need to take in obtaining the country’s only waterproof, sanitizable, 3D printed cast. All you need is a prescription from your physician and an iPhone X or newer to scan with.