A new mechanism of injury for scaphoid fractures: 'test your strength' punch-bag machines.

We investigated the mechanism of injury in a consecutive series of 153 confirmed scaphoid fractures. We found that ten (6%) occurred as a result of using a 'test your strength' punch-bag machine, a device found in public houses and amusement arcades. Clinicians should be aware that scaphoid fractures can occur as a result of punching these machines or other similar objects.