Return to Play After Hand and Wrist Fractures

Wrist and hand injuries are common among athletes, and can lead to considerable disability. Dislocations and soft tissue injuries are common and require prompt recognition and treatment. Accurate diagnosis and early immobilization are often key to getting players back to their sport early. Some injuries require surgery; operative intervention allows the player to return to their sport more quickly or with less long-term disability. This article discusses the spectrum of injury from distal radius fractures to mallet fingers, and offers some general guidelines for the surgeon in how to counsel and treat athletes with these problems.