wrist Injury

http://www.sportsmed.org/uploadedFiles/Content/Patient/Sports_Tips/4ST%20Wrist%20Injury.pdf

 

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With so many bones, ligaments, tendons,

and joints keeping hands and wrists

working, there is ample opportunity for

injury. In fact, injuries to the hand and

wrists are some of the most common

ailments facing athletes. If managed

properly, however, most athletes can

expect their injury to heal without any

significant long-term disability.

WHAT ARE THE MOST

COMMON SPORTS-RELATED

HAND AND WRIST INJURIES?

There are a number of injuries that

may occur in an athlete’s hands or

wrists. They can be classified into two

main categories: traumatic (acute)

and overuse (chronic).

Traumatic injuries are more likely to

occur in athletes who participate in

sports that require higher levels of con-

tact (i.e., football, hockey, or wrestling),

whereas overuse injuries result in

athletes who participate in sports that

require them to “overdo” a particular

movement (i.e., baseball, tennis, or golf).

Some common traumatic injuries in

athletes include joint dislocations,

sprains, muscle strains, broken bones,

tendon inflammation, and ligament

tears. The most common fracture

injury in the athletic population occurs

in the fingers.

Overuse injuries are stress-induced

and include tendon inflammation and

dislocation, nerve injury, and over use

stress fractures. Long-term disability

is less likely to occur from overuse

injuries than from traumatic injuries.

However, if left untreated, an athlete’s

sports performance may be significantly

diminished. Surgical treatment may be

required if an injury persists.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I

INJURE MY HAND OR WRIST?

Should you sustain a hand or wrist injury

while participating in a game where an

attending team physician is not present,

seek immediate medical care if any of

the following symptoms are present:

Severe pain

Severe swelling

Numbness

Coldness or grayness in the

finger, hand, or wrist

Abnormal twisting or bending

of the finger or hand

A clicking, grating, or shifting

noise while moving your finger,

hand, or wrist

Bleeding that does not slow and

persists for more than 15 minutes.

Contact your physician during regular

practice hours if mild wrist pain, bruis-

ing, or swelling after an injury persists

and does not improve after two weeks.

For minor hand injuries, home treat-

ment, including rest, ice, compression,

and elevation to the effected limb can

help relieve pain, swelling, and stiffness.

An anti-inflammatory medication such

as ibuprofen or naproxen may also

be taken to help with the pain and

inflammation.

WHAT TREATMENT OPTIONS

ARE AVAILABLE FOR HAND

AND WRIST INJURIES?

Treatment depends on the location,

type, duration, and severity of the

injury. While surgery is needed for

some injuries, such as ligament tears,

medication, “buddy-taping” (taping

the injured finger to a neighboring

one for support), splints, braces, casts,

or physical therapy may be used as

a treatment option. Your doctor will

determine the best option, taking into

consideration short and long-term

damage; deformities, and stiffness.

HOW CAN I PREVENT A

HAND OR WRIST INJURY?

Wearing wrist guards, gloves, and

stretching are just a few ways to help

prevent a traumatic hand or wrist

injury. You can prevent overuse injuries

by taking breaks to rest the hands

or wrists, using proper posture and

technique, and utilize protective equipment