What is a Sports Injury

The symptoms of sports-related injuries in the hand and wrist vary depending on the severity and type of injury but can include:

• Pain: Sharp or aching pain in the wrist, hand, or fingers, especially when moving or applying pressure.
• Swelling: Inflammation around the injured area, which can develop immediately or after a few hours.
• Bruising: Discoloration around the site of injury, indicating trauma to the blood vessels.
• Limited Mobility: Difficulty moving the affected hand or wrist, particularly in cases of fractures or dislocations.
• Weakness: Reduced grip strength or difficulty holding objects.
• Numbness or Tingling: Nerve damage or compression can cause a "pins and needles" sensation in the hand or fingers.
• Deformity: In severe fractures or dislocations, the bones may appear misaligned or the hand may take on an abnormal shape.

The treatment for sports-related hand and wrist injuries depends on the type and severity of the condition. Common treatments include:

• Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (RICE): Initial treatment for acute injuries to reduce pain and swelling.
• Immobilisation: Use of splints, braces, or casts to protect the injury and allow healing, particularly in fractures or severe sprains.
• Physiotherapy: Exercises to restore strength, flexibility, and range of motion once the injury has healed.
• Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Medications like ibuprofen to reduce pain and inflammation.
• Steroid Injections: In cases of tendonitis or severe inflammation, corticosteroid injections may be used to reduce swelling and pain.
• Surgery: For severe injuries such as fractures, ligament tears, or dislocations, surgical intervention may be required to realign bones, repair tendons or ligaments, or stabilise joints.
• Rehabilitation: Following surgery or immobilisation, a rehabilitation program is essential to regain full function and prevent future injuries.
• Activity Modification: In the case of overuse injuries, altering training methods, improving technique, or adjusting equipment may help prevent recurrence.