A brief blog this week as I am doing an MSc in sports physiotherapy at Bath University and we have a deadline for the next assignment on wrist injuries this weekend.  Thought I would share some of the less technical bits!

Wrist injuries are quite common in contact sports, particularly from falling on an outstretched hand.  Two structures commonly injured are the scaphoid bone and the wrist ligaments.

(http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/C/carpal.html, 2011)

The wrist comprises of 8 small carpal bones in two rows, proximal and distal.  The scaphoid sits in the row nearest the forearm and articulates with several bones including the radius (in the forearm).  It doesn’t have a particularly good blood supply which hinders healing.  If you end up with a fractured scaphoid bone consultation with an orthopaedic surgeon may be in order as part of the management these days is to pull the bone together using a small pin before putting the wrist in plaster.

Unfortunately this can end up leaving you out of action for at least three months, so in that time you need to look at ways of trying to keep yourself fit.  This may be a lot more gym work, including sprint sets on the treadmill.  Try and use your imagination!  Squats can still be weighted to a degree by putting them in a strong rucksack.  If you have been instructed in plyometric techniques, these can be followed by depth jumps to improve the explosive power in the legs.  Use it as an opportunity to focus on your core stability and co-ordination.  If the arm is immobilised in a plaster cast, once it doesn’t include the elbow, use a pad under the elbows (both to keep you level) to practice the plank and modified superman. The list is endless…..   

 Lisa