A high school football player has wrist tenderness between two tendons at the base of his thumb. What should be considered?

In this scenario, the wrist tenderness between two tendons at the base of the thumb is indicative of a specific condition related to the anatomy of the wrist and the mechanics of the hand. The correct consideration is a scaphoid fracture, as this injury often presents with tenderness in the anatomical snuffbox, which is located near the base of the thumb and bordered by the abductor and extensor pollicis tendons.

A scaphoid fracture is the most common type of carpal fracture, particularly in young athletes, and it can occur due to a fall on an outstretched hand—a common mechanism of injury in sports such as football. The scaphoid bone is crucial for wrist stability and function, and its fractures can sometimes be subtle and easily overlooked without proper examination and imaging. Tenderness in the area, especially when palpating the snuffbox, is a classic sign that warrants further evaluation for this specific fracture.

Understanding the anatomy and typical presentations associated with wrist injuries helps discern the underlying causes and drive appropriate management. In this case, given the description of symptoms, a scaphoid fracture is the most pertinent consideration.