FOOSH
Medical abbreviation · Musculoskeletal & Rheumatology
| Stands for | Fall on outstretched hand |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
FOOSH stands for Fall on outstretched hand, a musculoskeletal & rheumatology abbreviation.
Common injury mechanism in which a person lands on an extended wrist, transmitting force up the arm. It can fracture the distal radius, scaphoid, radial head or clavicle, or dislocate the elbow or shoulder.
Example: FOOSH while skateboarding, snuffbox tenderness, X-ray negative: treat as scaphoid fracture, thumb spica splint.
Usage notes
Pronounced "foosh". Scaphoid fractures are often invisible on first X-rays, so anatomic snuffbox tenderness after a FOOSH is treated as a fracture until proven otherwise because of the risk of nonunion and avascular necrosis. Older adults with a FOOSH fracture should be evaluated for osteoporosis.
Related abbreviations
More musculoskeletal & rheumatology abbreviations
- DM – Dermatomyositis
- DMARD – Disease-modifying antirheumatic drug
- DRF – Distal radius fracture
- ESI – Epidural steroid injection
- FAI – Femoroacetabular impingement
- FM – Fibromyalgia
- FRAX – Fracture Risk Assessment Tool
- GCA – Giant cell arteritis
- GH – Glenohumeral (joint)
- GTPS – Greater trochanteric pain syndrome
- HLA-B27 – Human leukocyte antigen B27
- HNP – Herniated nucleus pulposus
See all 71 musculoskeletal & rheumatology abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.