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The athlete's wrist: ulnar-sided pain
Eiko Yamabe1, Toshiyasu Nakamura, Peter Pham
1Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, California 92868, USA.
Seminars in Musculoskeletal Radiology
|October 11, 2012
Summary
Ulnar-sided wrist pain is a common yet serious issue for athletes, impacting grip and forearm rotation. This article explores injury mechanisms, sport-specific cases, and diagnosis challenges in athletes.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Sports Medicine
- Anatomy
Background:
- Ulnar-sided wrist pain is prevalent in athletes across various sports, including baseball, racket sports, golf, wrestling, soccer, and running.
- It significantly affects athletes due to its critical role in grip strength and forearm rotation.
- Injuries can stem from acute trauma or chronic overuse, leading to fractures, ligament damage, tendinitis, or osteoarthrosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanisms of ulnar-sided wrist injuries in athletes.
- To detail sports-specific presentations of ulnar-sided wrist pain.
- To discuss the diagnostic challenges and differential diagnosis of ulnar-sided wrist pain.
Main Methods:
- Review of injury mechanisms in ulnar-sided wrist conditions.
- Analysis of sport-specific injury patterns.
- Discussion of diagnostic approaches and differential diagnoses.
Main Results:
- Ulnar-sided wrist injuries in athletes result from both acute trauma and repetitive overuse.
- Specific sports place unique stresses on the ulnar wrist, leading to varied injuries.
- Accurate diagnosis is complicated by the intricate wrist anatomy.
Conclusions:
- Understanding injury mechanisms and sport-specific risks is crucial for managing ulnar-sided wrist pain in athletes.
- Early and accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment and return to sport.
- Further research may improve diagnostic strategies for these complex injuries.
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