Sports injuries of the hand range from the seemingly “minor” problems with those immediately visible, such as fracture or dislocation of the wrist or finger joint.
Injuries that are associated with specific activities include:
- Skier Thumb. Trauma, in which the ligament is torn from the base of the thumb. It occurs when a person falls forward and the thumb bent back.
- De Quervain’s tendonitis. Inflammation of the tendon that runs down the forearm through the wrist to the thumb. This injury caused by including using the keyboard, playing golf and fishing.
- Fractures of the wrist. Is the result of many sporting events. One of the most common types of injuries are injuries in novice skaters or snowboarders who fall down usually back on their arms.
- Basketball finger. It arises as a result of any sporting activity, where the hand comes into contact with the ball. This injury varies in severity from a simple sprain to the dislocation, which can be fixed. But in some cases are more complex injuries – serious dislocation or fracture of the joint.
- Tennis elbow. Trauma, in which the tendon on the outside of the forearm is damaged and begins to be torn away from the bone. Despite the fact that the injury originates near the elbow the pain may spread down the forearm.
- Golfer’s elbow. It looks like a tennis elbow injury that affects the tendon on the inside of the elbow.
- Tendonitis. It may also occur in weightlifting with poor technique, or those who are trying to lift too much weight too soon. In addition, beginners yoga practice may experience this problem, resulting in postures that exert too much pressure on the tendon, not yet ready for such pressures.
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Diagnosis
Regardless of the severity of the injury prompt attention from the orthopedist can significantly affect the speed of patient recovery and ability to continue to engage in sports. To determine the degree of injury is very important to obtain X-ray. At untimely treatment of the fracture it may be arthritis and severe pain. Damage to the middle joint of the finger can be particularly difficult, because this joint is important for the hand grip into a fist.
Treatment
Fortunately, many of the described injury can be treated by simple procedures that provide excellent long-term results. Sprained finger can be straightened and aligned in an orthopedic surgeon’s office. If the finger is broken, the joint may require immobilization.
Skier’s thumb can be treated with a simple procedure. This operation is performed under local anesthesia and does not require hospitalization. Correction of this ligament is crucial, since the thumb is responsible for about 50% of hand function, in particular, any movement that requires opposition, such as the circumference of a cup or other object.
The tendon injuries that result capture rackets or golf swing (or as a result of poor technique) or numerous repetitions of weight during lifting, may require different types of treatment. The affected joint may be necessary to immobilize. You may also need therapy to reduce inflammation and swelling. This may include an ultrasound or iontophoresis treatment. During iontophoresis the affected area applied to the skin cortisone cream which is absorbed into the skin using a light electrical charge. It may also require injections of cortisone or other anti-inflammatory drugs. If these means do not help surgery may be required in order to open the tunnel to make space for the tendons. Or, in some cases, to remove diseased tissue which may provide relief. After the surgery and recovery the patient receives instructions on how to modify their activities in order to avoid a repetition of trauma.
Methods of treatment of fractures of the wrist or finger can vary depending on the severity of the fracture. Severe fractures often are the most difficult. In such cases, the bone can be broken into many pieces. These fractures can also be open, i.e. when the bone beyond the skin, which leads to a high risk of infection. In case of severe or timely untreated fractures may require concomitant reconstruction or replacement of the joint.
