Best Practice Case Studies-Athletic Injuries of the Wrist and Hand

Athletic Injuries of the Wrist and Hand - Part 1

Pdf Summary

The document "Athletic Injuries of the Wrist and Hand, Part I: Traumatic Injuries of the Wrist" by Arthur C. Rettig provides an extensive examination of common wrist and hand injuries in athletes, focusing on traumatic injuries. These injuries, including fractures and ligament tears, are prevalent across various sports, with specific types of injuries associated with particular sports. For example, scaphoid fractures are common in contact sports, while stress fractures of the hook of the hamate often occur in golfers, tennis players, and baseball players. <br /><br />The document details the biomechanics of the wrist essential for understanding the range of motion required in different sports. It explains how most daily activities can be performed with specific degrees of wrist extension, flexion, and deviation, which sports activities often exceed.<br /><br />Diagnosis and treatment of scaphoid fractures are highlighted as especially challenging due to the bone's irregular shape and susceptible vascularity, which complicates the healing process. Untreated fractures can lead to nonunion and progressive arthrosis. Diagnosis is often difficult with plain radiographs, often requiring CT or MRI for confirmation. Treatment options include casting, playing casts, or surgical interventions such as internal fixation to facilitate union and return to sport.<br /><br />Other wrist injuries discussed include hook of the hamate fractures, lunate fractures, and ligament injuries—particularly scapholunate and lunotriquetral ligament injuries. Treatments vary from conservative methods like immobilization to surgical interventions such as arthroscopy and arthrodesis.<br /><br />The document underscores the importance of a tailored approach considering the type and severity of injury, sport-specific demands, and the athlete's goals, emphasizing the complexity of wrist biomechanics and the critical role of precise diagnosis and treatment in facilitating a successful return to athletic activities.

Keywords

wrist injuries

hand injuries

athletic injuries

traumatic injuries

scaphoid fractures

biomechanics

ligament tears

diagnosis

treatment

sports medicine