Sports Injuries

What are sports injuries?

You don’t need to participate in a competitive sport to suffer a sports injury, although athletes and people who exercise may be more likely to get them. These musculoskeletal injuries can happen during any type of physical activity, from climbing on a playground jungle gym to lifting weights.     

What sports injuries affect the hand, wrist, and arm?

Fractures

Finger fractures are among the most common sports-related injuries, but a broken bone can occur anywhere in your hand, wrist, forearm, or elbow. Dr. Abrams provides advanced fracture care, including reconstructive and salvage surgeries. 

Joint dislocations

A dislocation causes your joint to become misaligned. This common injury causes pain and visible deformity. You may be unable to move your hand or finger. 

Sprains and strains

Your hand, wrist, and arm contain many ligaments, muscles, and tendons that can become sprained or strained. This means the tissue gets stretched or torn. In severe injuries, a tendon or ligament can tear completely. 

Tendonitis 

Tendonitis is tendon inflammation that usually results from overuse. This often arises from repetitive arm motions, like swinging a tennis racket or golf club. 

What methods diagnose and treat sports injuries?

First, Dr. Abrams asks how the injury occurred and what symptoms you have. He carefully examines your hand, wrist, and arm, checking for areas of tenderness and swelling. He may also use an imaging test, like an X-ray, to check for broken bones. At times more advanced imaging tests, like MRI, are necessary to look for ligament or tendon injuries.

If imaging tests don’t provide enough information about the extent of your sports injury, he may need to perform diagnostic wrist arthroscopy. This minimally invasive surgery involves inserting a tiny, flexible camera into a small incision in your wrist. 

He may also use a NanoScope to view the small joints of your hand. This state-of-the-art technology uses a needle-sized camera to see the inside of your joint. If Dr. Abrams finds a problem during arthroscopy, he may treat it in the same procedure. 

However, most sports injuries don’t require surgery. Dr. Abrams typically begins with conservative treatments like splinting, therapy, and medications. 

If you have a sports injury of the hand, wrist, or elbow call Samuel S. Abrams, MD, or book an appointment online today.