Which symptom is most associated with a scaphoid fracture?

Tenderness in the anatomical snuffbox is a classic symptom associated with a scaphoid fracture. The anatomical snuffbox is a triangular deepening on the radial side of the wrist, which is bordered by the tendons of the extensor pollicis longus and brevis, as well as the abductor pollicis longus. When a scaphoid fracture occurs, it often leads to localized tenderness in this area due to the scaphoid bone's location and its role in wrist stability and movement.

Identifying tenderness in the anatomical snuffbox is crucial for diagnosis because the scaphoid bone has a high rate of nonunion due to its blood supply vulnerability, making early detection and treatment important. Although swelling over the wrist may also occur with a scaphoid fracture, it is not as specific to this particular type of injury as the tenderness in the anatomical snuffbox. Similarly, a bristling sensation across the palm is not a typical characteristic of a scaphoid fracture, nor is the visible deformation of the wrist; fractures of this nature may not present with significant deformity, particularly when they are non-displaced. Therefore, the tenderness in the anatomical snuffbox stands out as the most distinctive and clinically