Hand Injuries in Football Players

In brief Football players have a fairly high brief risk of injury to the soft tissues of the hand; among the most common problems are thumb sprains and proximal interphalangeal joint dislocations. Stable ligament injuries can be treated with splints and casts, but more severe sprains may require surgical intervention. Closed tendon injuries must be followed carefully to prevent boutonniere deformity or mallet finger. Athletes with these injuries often can return quickly to play with protective splinting, but more recovery time may be necessary for ball handlers and for players who have injuries that require open reduction.