Submitted By Dale S. Snead M.D.
03.04.2010

Hand, wrist and finger injuries can be brutal

Hand, wrist and finger injuries are common among basketball players. In fact, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, there are approximately 481,000 basketball-related injuries each year.

Some of the most common injuries include:

Mallet finger: A player can suffer an injury when a ball or other object strikes the tip of the finger or thumb. The force of this action can damage the thin tendon that straightens the finger and may even cause a piece of the bone to pull away from the tendon. One indication a player has suffered a mallet finger is if they are unable to straighten their injured thumb or finger. If this occurs, the player should apply ice immediately and seek medical attention. The majority of mallet finger injuries do not require surgery; however a doctor is the only one qualified to determine the extent of this type of injury.

Fractured finger: Jammed fingers and falls are common in basketball and often result in broken fingers. Symptoms may include swelling, tenderness, bruising and the inability to move the injured finger completely. A player should seek immediate medical attention to determine the extent of their injury. A medical evaluation will help determine if surgical or non-surgical treatments can be used. Once a doctor has determined that it is okay to move the injured finger, the player should begin rehabilitation exercises to reduce the finger’s stiffness and swelling.

Sprained thumb: If a player overextends the main ligament in their thumb it can become sprained, which can diminish the hand’s ability to grasp items between the thumb and index finger. There may or may not be immediate pain but having a doctor assess the injury will ensure there will not be long-term weakness and instability. If the ligament is only partially torn the thumb joint should be immobilized with a splint or cast until it heals. However, if it is completely torn, surgery may be required.

Wrist sprains/fractures: If a player falls on the palm of their hand they may suffer a wrist sprain, which occurs when the ligaments that connect bone to bone within the joint are stretched and perhaps torn. Most wrist sprains can usually be treated at home with rest, ice, compression, elevation and splinting. Severe sprains may require more extensive treatment, including surgery to repair a fully torn ligament. Fractures may occur in the wrist. One particular fracture involves a bone in the wrist called the scaphoid or navicular, which athletes often believe to be just a sprain. If an athlete suffers this type of fracture the best treatment is surgical intervention.

Finger sprains/dislocations: These injuries are most commonly seen in athletes who play ball-handling sports such as basketball. This injury is often referred to as the “coach’s finger,” due to the feeling that the injury is not very serious. However, these injuries can range from a fracture to a dislocation to a sprain, and can be debilitating. A dislocation occurs when a player jams their finger attempting to catch a ball or block a shot. This may cause the finger to bend too far to the side and the ligaments to tear from the bone. If this occurs the finger may appear swollen or deformed. Depending on the extent of the injury, surgery may be required to fix the joint.

It can be difficult to prevent hand injuries during basketball and athletic activities but the use of proper equipment and technique can reduce a player’s risk of injury. However, if an injury does occur it is important seek medical attention within 24 to 48 hours to determine the severity of the damage and assess treatment options.