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Physiotherapy · Wrist and scaphoid injury · Private clinic in East London

Private wrist and scaphoid injury clinic in London, same-day physiotherapy.

Falling onto an outstretched hand is the classic mechanism for wrist injury. One small bone at the base of the thumb, the scaphoid, is notorious for not appearing broken on the first X-ray — which is why you may be splinted and asked to come back despite a normal result. Our private physiotherapy clinic in East London offers same-day wrist and scaphoid injury assessment with a private physiotherapist, diagnosis and a clear treatment plan — usually without a referral and often the same day.

Book a private appointment Call 020 7916 0029
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The condition

What is wrist and scaphoid injury?

Falling onto an outstretched hand is the classic mechanism for wrist injury. One small bone at the base of the thumb, the scaphoid, is notorious for not appearing broken on the first X-ray — which is why you may be splinted and asked to come back despite a normal result.

  • What wrist and scaphoid injury is
  • Symptoms to look for
  • Causes & risk factors
  • Tests & diagnosis
  • Treatment options
  • When to see a specialist

Understanding wrist and scaphoid injury

Wrist and scaphoid injury: symptoms, causes, tests & treatment

Seek urgent assessment if

  • the wrist or hand looks bent, twisted or out of shape
  • the hand or fingers are numb, tingling, pale, blue or cold
  • there is a wound over the injury, or bone is visible
  • you cannot move the fingers, or pain is severe and worsening despite painkillers
  • swelling is severe and the skin feels tight and shiny
  • pain in a plaster cast is increasing rather than settling, or is not relieved by elevation

Increasing pain in a cast, with tight swelling, numbness or pain when the fingers are straightened, can indicate dangerous pressure building in the limb. Do not wait for your next appointment. In an emergency call 999, or go to the Royal London Hospital Emergency Department, Whitechapel Road, London E1 1FR.

The scaphoid problem

The scaphoid is a small bone in the base of the thumb, tender in the hollow known as the anatomical snuffbox. Around one in four scaphoid fractures is invisible on the X-ray taken on the day of injury. Its blood supply enters from one end, so a missed fracture can fail to heal and the bone can die — leading to long-term pain and arthritis in an otherwise young, healthy wrist. This is why, if you are tender in that spot, you will be splinted and brought back for re-examination and repeat imaging at around 10 to 14 days, or offered an MRI, even when the first X-ray looks normal. Please do not skip that appointment because the wrist feels better.

In the first few days

  1. Elevate the hand above the level of your heart whenever you can — on pillows, or in a sling for short periods. This does more for swelling than anything else.
  2. Remove rings immediately, before swelling makes it impossible.
  3. Ice through a damp towel for 10 to 20 minutes, a few times a day for the first 48 hours.
  4. Keep the fingers, elbow and shoulder moving through their full range several times a day, even if the wrist is immobilised. Stiffness elsewhere in the limb causes more lasting trouble than the fracture.
  5. Take painkillers regularly for the first few days — paracetamol, with an anti-inflammatory if it suits you.

Looking after a cast or splint

Do

  • Keep it completely dry — use a proper cast cover or a sealed bag for showering
  • Keep the hand elevated, especially for the first few days
  • Wiggle the fingers frequently
  • Contact us if the cast cracks, softens, becomes loose or rubs

Do not

  • Do not push anything down inside to scratch — it damages the skin and causes infection
  • Do not trim or alter the cast yourself
  • Do not use talc, creams or oils under the cast
  • Do not drive while wearing a cast or splint on the wrist

Recovery

6 weekstypical immobilisation for a wrist fracture
8–12 weeksoften needed for a scaphoid fracture
3–6 monthsbefore full strength returns

Once the cast comes off, the wrist will be stiff, weak and swollen, and the skin may be dry and flaky. This is normal. Movement and strength return with graded exercises rather than with rest, and hand therapy makes a substantial difference to the final result — particularly for grip strength and rotation.

Come back to us if

  • pain over the base of the thumb persists beyond two weeks, whatever the X-ray showed
  • the wrist is not regaining movement six weeks after the cast comes off
  • the wrist looks deformed as swelling settles
  • you develop burning pain, marked swelling, colour changes or excessive sensitivity of the hand — this needs prompt assessment

Book an appointment if you need an X-ray, a repeat scaphoid view, an MRI, a cast check, or hand therapy. Our orthopaedic and physiotherapy teams see hand and wrist injuries without a referral, and we arrange X-ray and MRI quickly through our CQC-registered imaging partners.

Physiotherapy services we offer

Expert care under one roof

From same-day GP assessment to specialist care, scans and tests — with a clear plan the same visit.

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Seen today, in three easy steps

1

Book in a minute

Book online any time or call reception — no GP referral needed for most appointments.

2

Seen quickly

A GMC-registered clinician assesses you, with tests and scans arranged in-house where possible.

3

Diagnosis & plan

You leave with a clear diagnosis, treatment, and any specialist care or scan arranged.

Book same-day appointment Call 020 7916 0029

Private assessment

See a private physiotherapist for wrist and scaphoid injury in London

At our private physiotherapy clinic on Whitechapel Road in East London, you can see a private physiotherapist or wrist and scaphoid injury doctor without a referral — most days, often the same day. A private GP in East London or consultant physiotherapist will assess you, arrange the right tests and explain your diagnosis and treatment options clearly. We help patients across East London, Canary Wharf, the City, Docklands and Aldgate who want fast, private answers about wrist and scaphoid injury.

Book a private wrist and scaphoid injury assessment

Local, private, fast

A private physiotherapy clinic for East London & Canary Wharf

Tower Bridge Hospital is on Whitechapel Road in the heart of East London — minutes from Canary Wharf, the City of London, Docklands and Aldgate. Patients across Tower Hamlets, Wapping, Limehouse and Bethnal Green choose us for a fast, private wrist and scaphoid injury appointment with a physiotherapist, without the wait or the referral.

Why choose us

Why choose our East London private physiotherapy clinic

  • Same-day, no referral — private GP and physiotherapy under one roof
  • Specialist-led care with GMC-registered clinicians
  • Tests & scans on site, results explained the same visit
  • Minutes from Canary Wharf & the City of London
  • A named clinician who explains your results clearly
  • Transparent pricing and a plan you can act on

Ready when you are

See a private physiotherapist for wrist and scaphoid injury — the same day.

Book a private wrist and scaphoid injury assessment in East London: same-day appointments, physiotherapist-led care and a clear plan. No referral needed.

Book same-day appointment 020 7916 0029

Common questions

Wrist and scaphoid injury in London: your questions answered

Where can I find a private wrist and scaphoid injury specialist near me in East London?

Our private physiotherapy clinic is on Whitechapel Road in East London, minutes from Canary Wharf and the City. You can see a private physiotherapist or wrist and scaphoid injury doctor for assessment and treatment, usually the same day and without a referral.

Can I see a private physiotherapist for wrist and scaphoid injury the same day?

Yes. We hold same-day private appointments most days, including Saturdays, so you can be assessed by a physiotherapist or GP quickly, with tests done in-house where possible.

How much does a private wrist and scaphoid injury appointment cost in London?

We keep pricing transparent — see our fees page or call 020 7916 0029, and we will explain the cost of the wrist and scaphoid injury assessment and any tests before you book.

Do I need a referral to see a private physiotherapist for wrist and scaphoid injury?

No. You can book directly with our clinic. If you are unsure whether to start with a private GP or a physiotherapist, we will guide you.

Which areas do you serve for private wrist and scaphoid injury care?

We see private patients from across East London, Canary Wharf, the City of London, Docklands, Aldgate, Wapping, Limehouse and Tower Hamlets.

Medically reviewed by Dr Haydar Bolat — Clinical Director, GMC 7138332. Last reviewed August 2026 · next review August 2027. Written in line with our editorial & content-review policy, using guidance from the NHS, NICE and the relevant royal colleges. This information is general and does not replace personal medical advice.

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Physiotherapy
Specialist-led

Physiotherapy

Expert hands-on physio.

Orthopaedics
Consultant

Orthopaedics

Bone & joint specialists.

MSK Clinic
Assessment

MSK Clinic

Muscle, joint & nerve care.

Joint Injections
Treatment

Joint Injections

Ultrasound-guided injections.

Insurance accepted
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Trusted partners
CQCCare Quality Commission GMCGeneral Medical Council PabauPractice management & online booking TDLThe Doctors Laboratory
In an emergency, call 999. Tower Bridge Hospital London is not an emergency service. Your nearest A&E is The Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel Road E1 1FR — 5 minutes’ walk from our front door.

Areas we serve

Private wrist and scaphoid injury care in London & East London — Whitechapel, the City & Canary Wharf

Patients visit our Whitechapel clinic for private wrist and scaphoid injury assessment and treatment from right across London and East London, the City and the Docklands — including Aldgate, Bethnal Green, Bow, Shoreditch, Canary Wharf, Stratford, Bermondsey and the surrounding areas. Same-day and walk-in appointments are available and you do not need a GP referral.

Easy to reach — minutes from the Royal London Hospital and Aldgate East, Whitechapel, Aldgate and Liverpool Street stations, and one stop from Canary Wharf on the Elizabeth line.

Private wrist and scaphoid injury treatment near me? If you are searching for private wrist and scaphoid injury treatment near me, a wrist and scaphoid injury doctor or specialist near me, or a private clinic near me in East London, our Whitechapel practice is on your doorstep — walk-in and same-day appointments, no GP referral, and no long NHS waiting list.

Book a same-day appointment or call 020 7916 0029. See our transparent fees. Open 7 days a week, 9am–7pm. Private clinic on Whitechapel Road, London E1 — serving Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Newham, Islington, the City of London and Southwark.

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