Mar
I’ve fractured my scaphoid twice and wondered the same thing. I remeber going to the orthopedic and before I know it my arm is casted up to the shoulder…for a little bone..lol. And my thumb completly imobolized.
Basically I was told that while it is a small bone it is minupulated by movement so even when you go to flex your arm or straighten it out it can cause further trauma to that area so they want it completly immobolized to heal properly. Hey my thoughts anything to avoid surgery…
Answer:
Is it? I'm a physiotherapist and work with many fractures. I've never known it to be taken much more seriously than any other break? I do know its a very common fracture though. Because of where the scaphoid is situated beneath the thumb, it is very easy to fracture. If you fall on it, or on your wrist, it tends to be the bone that gets the most impact.
Because the bone is situated in your wrist, and therefore when fractured, may prevent you doing a lot of normal activities, it probably is considered to be serious. Any injury to the hand area at all might cause problems such as not being able to work, bring money into the home etc. Perhaps thats why its important to get it treated as best as possible.
But as I say, ALL fractures are taken seriously, the scaphoid is just more common.
Hope this is what you meant 
Answer:
Scaphoid fractures are taken seriously only because they may not heal quickly or properly without surgical intervention AND the bone is involved with movement of the hand and wrist.
As you might already know the hand is a useful little thing and having limited use of it would suck major donkey balls.