Single most likely diagnosis
- Scaphoid fracture: This is the most common cause of snuff box pain, especially after a fall onto an outstretched hand. The scaphoid bone is located in the wrist, near the base of the thumb, and is prone to fractures.
Other Likely diagnoses
- De Quervain's tenosynovitis: This condition involves inflammation of the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist, which can cause pain in the snuff box area.
- Wrist sprain: A sprain of the wrist ligaments can cause pain and tenderness in the snuff box area.
- Ganglion cyst: A ganglion cyst is a non-cancerous lump that can develop on the wrist, often causing pain and discomfort in the snuff box area.
Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Radial artery thrombosis: Although rare, thrombosis of the radial artery can cause severe pain and ischemia in the hand, and is a medical emergency.
- Compartment syndrome: This is a condition where increased pressure within the muscle compartments of the forearm or hand can cause severe pain, numbness, and tingling.
Rare diagnoses
- Kienböck's disease: A rare condition where the blood supply to the lunate bone in the wrist is disrupted, causing pain and stiffness in the wrist and snuff box area.
- Pisotriquetral joint disorders: The pisotriquetral joint is a small joint in the wrist that can cause pain and discomfort in the snuff box area if it becomes inflamed or arthritic.