Sporting Injuries

Sporting activities can expose individuals to a variety of hand injuries due to the nature of the sports and the high demands placed on the hands and wrists. Some common sporting hand injuries include:

1. Fractures: Hand fractures can occur when the hand sustains a direct impact or force, such as during contact sports like football, netball, cricket, rugby, or hockey. Common fractures include broken fingers, metacarpal fractures, and fractures of the phalanges (bones of the fingers).
2. Volar plate injuries: Volar plate injuries most commonly occur when the finger experiences a forceful backward bending motion, causing the volar plate to be stretched beyond its normal range. These injuries can happen during various sports activities, accidental falls, or any situation where the finger gets caught or hyperextended.

   There are two main types of volar plate injuries:

   1. Volar Plate Sprain: This is a partial tearing or stretching of the volar plate ligament. It is the less severe form of injury and usually does not involve displacement of the bones.
   2. Volar Plate Avulsion Fracture: In this more severe form of injury, the volar plate is torn away from its attachment to the bone, and sometimes a small fragment of bone may be avulsed along with it.

   Symptoms of volar plate injuries may include:

   • Pain and tenderness on the palm side of the affected finger or thumb.
   • Swelling and bruising around the injured joint.
   • Difficulty or pain when trying to bend or straighten the finger.
   • Instability or increased mobility of the joint.
3. Sprains and Strains: Ligament sprains and muscle strains can happen when the hand or wrist is subjected to sudden, forceful movements or excessive stretching. Sports that involve repetitive gripping or throwing motions, like tennis or golf, can be associated with these injuries.
4. Dislocations: Dislocation of the finger joints may occur during sports where the hand experiences high-velocity impacts or gets caught in equipment or clothing, such as basketball, netball, or volleyball.
5. Tendon Injuries: Tendons are tough, fibrous tissues that connect muscles to bones. In sports, tendons can be subjected to overuse or sudden traumatic forces, leading to injuries such as tendonitis or tendon tears.
6. Contusions and Bruises: Impact from balls, equipment, or opponents' body parts can cause bruises and contusions on the hands.
7. Skier's Thumb (Gamekeeper's Thumb): This injury occurs when the thumb is forced away from the fingers, leading to a sprain or tear of the ulnar collateral ligament. It can be seen in sports like skiing, netball, basketball, and football.
8. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Repetitive hand and wrist movements in sports like cycling, racquet sports, or weightlifting can contribute to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome.
9. Boxer's Fracture: A boxer's fracture is a break in the neck of the metacarpal bones, typically seen in individuals who punch a hard object with a closed fist, like in boxing or martial arts.
10. Mallet Finger): This injury occurs when the extensor tendon of a finger is damaged, often from a direct blow to a bent finger, as seen in baseball cricket, basketball, or football.

Preventing sporting hand injuries involves proper training, using appropriate protective gear (such as gloves or wrist guards), maintaining good technique, and ensuring adequate rest and recovery between training sessions and competitions. It's crucial to warm up before engaging in sports and to stop playing immediately if an injury occurs.

If a hand injury is suspected, seeking prompt medical attention is essential for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Ignoring or improperly treating hand injuries can lead to long-term complications and hinder athletic performance.

Top of Form