Southern Nevadans that are active in athletic activities often injure their wrists. What are some of the most common activities that cause wrist injuries?
Any activity can cause a wrist injury. However activities that subject the wrist to trauma such as volleyball or basketball expose the wrist to greater chance of fracture. In addition, repetitive activities such as tennis, or sports that place constant pressure on the wrist such as weight lifting can cause sprains or tendonitis.
Can you discuss fractures at the wrist?
The wrist itself is composed of eight carpal bones in addition to the two bones of the forearm, the radius and ulna. Wrist fractures can occur from a variety of mechanisms. In athletics, the most common mechanism for a fracture is a fall with on an outstretched hand.
What is the most common type of wrist fracture?
The most common wrist fracture is a fracture of the scaphoid bone. The scaphoid bone is one of the eight bones of the wrist and it is located at the base of the hand on the thumb side. Scaphoid fractures make up about 60 percent of wrist fractures. This injury occurs during a fall on an outstretched wrist, especially if the wrist is bent at an angle greater than 90 degrees. The next most common wrist fractures are of the radius and ulna. Of course, any bone of the wrist is subject to fracture.
What are the signs and symptoms of a scaphoid fracture?
Signs of scaphoid fracture include pain and tenderness on the thumb side of the wrist. Localized swelling may occur and gripping objects may be painful. In addition athletes will have pain when pressure is applied near the base of the thumb.
Are there any complications for an athlete that does not get proper treatment of a scaphoid fracture?
Scaphoid is latin for “boat shaped”. Unfortunately, because of the shape of this bone, it has a poor blood supply. Because of this poor blood supply, the possibility of avasular necrosis increases without proper treatment.
What is avascular necrosis?
Avascular necrosis (AVN) is a term that describes death of a bone after injury due to lack of blood supply. Bo Jackson, is probably one of the most famous people that has had this problem. Of course his problem was not at the wrist but at the hip.
Can you discuss tendonitis?
Tendons are fibrous cords that connect a muscle with bone. Tendonitis is the inflammation of the tendon which usually occurs as a result of repetitive use.
What are the signs and symptoms of tendonitis?
A pain in the front of the wrist is a common symptom of tendonitis. There may also be pain with gripping. Occasionally, thickening or swelling can be felt in the area where tendonitis occurs. Bending and extending the wrist is usually painful.
Can you give an example of an activity that commonly produces tendonitis?
Cyclists who ride for extended periods put pressure on their wrists while the hand is bent in an awkward position. A common injury seen in ten speed bike riders is tendonitis of the extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU). This tendon, which extends the wrist and fifth finger, is on ulnar (pinky) side of the wrist and can be compressed and irritated after chronic strain from bike riding.
What is DeQuervain's tenosynovitis?
This condition, which was named after a Swiss surgeon, is the irritation of the tunnel which houses two tendons of the thumb. It can be caused by an activity that places the thumb in an awkward position for an extended period of time. Because of the resulting swelling, the narrowing of the tunnel makes it difficult for the tendons to pass smoothly. Signs of this condition include pain on the thumb side of the wrist which can travel up the forearm, a ‘clicking’ or ‘clunking’ sensation as the tendons pass through the swollen tunnel and difficulty gripping.
How does a wrist sprain occur?
Much like the majority of wrist fractures, wrist sprains occur during falls onto outstretched hands. A sprain is an injury to a ligament. A ligament is a band of fibrous tissue which connects two bones.
Is a sprained ligament the same as a torn ligament?
Yes and No. Sprains are categorized by grades. In a Grade I tear, some of the fibers are torn, but the main ligament is still intact. The ligament is stretched, but not torn. On the other hand, a Grade III tear involves the complete tearing (or rupture) of a ligament. Ligaments tend to have a poor blood supply, which is why torn ligaments take a long time to heal.
What are the signs and symptoms of wrist sprains?
Of course the severity of symptoms will vary with the degree of sprain. However, wrist sprains typically present with wrist swelling, pain at time of injury, and with movement, local tenderness and warmth over the area of the sprain. In severe sprains, an athlete might feel a tearing sensation or even hear an audible pop.
- Jason M. Tarno, D.O., is Board Certified and Fellowship trained in Sports Medicine. Dr. Tarno is an associate of Crovetti Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine.
For further information call: 990-2290.
Or visit us at: www.CrovettiOrtho.com
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