Nonspecific wrist pain in gymnasts and cheerleaders

Participation in gymnastics and other upper extremity weight-bearing sports frequently requires athletes to bear significant loads through their wrists. This requirement makes wrist pain and injury of significant concern to competitive gymnasts. Athletes' wrist pain, and their ultimate evaluation and treatment, are subject to many variables. Diagnosing the cause of wrist pain in a gymnast requires understanding of the interplay between sport-specific mechanics imparted to the wrist and the individual athlete's characteristics. Treatment entails the appropriate use of conservative measures or surgical intervention with an emphasis on collaborating with all members of the patient's treatment and training team.