Evaluation of hand and wrist injuries in athletes

Injuries to the wrist and hand are very common in athletes. Timely treatment is very important because these injuries result in short- and/or long term disability. A correct diagnosis allows treatment, which often requires immobilization, rest, and/or time away from sport, to begin immediately. The key to an accurate diagnosis is a thorough patient history and physical examination. Specific physical signs and appropriate use of additional radiographic and special imaging studies are often used to confirm the diagnosis.