What is a FOOSH injury?

FOOSH or 'fall on the outstretched hand' is a common mechanism for hand & upper limb injury. 

The injury sustained will depend on many factors. Age for instance; children are more likely to sustain an elbow dislocation, adults a scaphoid fracture and the elderly a distal radial or Colles fracture.

Some injuries which can be sustained from a FOOSH, include;

Hand
- soft tissue bruising, laceration, swelling

​Wrist
- fracture (Scaphoid, Colles, Smith's, Barton's)
- ligament (scapho-lunate, dorsal carpus, TFCC)
- dislocation (lunate, perilunate)

Elbow
- dislocation (Essex-Lopresti)
- ligament (medial collateral, lateral collateral)
- fracture (radial hand & neck, olecranon, coronoid process)

Arm
- fracture (distal or proximal humerus, radius, Monteggia, Galeazzi)

Shoulder
- dislocation (A/C joint)
- rotator cuff or labral tear
- fracture (clavicle)

Treatment will depend upon the injury. In the early stages there may be the need to immobilise or keep still using a splint or sling.
Managing swelling & pain is important to prevent unnecessary stiffness.
Movements are incorporated when safe.
Strengthening and advice to assist getting back to normal hand and arm use ensure the best outcomes.
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