When Do Athletes Need A Hand And Wrist Specialist In Singapore?
A photo of different medicinal drugs, tablets and pills on blue background.
About a quarter of all sports injuries occur in the hands and wrist, making them a frequent source of medical attention for athletes. A hand or wrist injury can hinder performance on and off the field. Recovering from an illness or injury might take much longer than necessary if the accurate diagnosis is delayed or missed.
Getting the right diagnosis and receiving thorough treatment from a hand and wrist specialist in Singapore is crucial for preventing long-term complications, including pain, stiffness, and arthritis after a wrist injury.
What Are The Common Hand And Wrist Injuries Among Athletes?
There is a 25% injury rate in players’ hands and wrists across all sports. It is challenging to determine the true prevalence of injuries in sports because many go undetected and are rarely reported by athletes.
Traumatic injuries might be more common or less common depending on the sport and the player’s position. It is especially true in full-contact sports like:
- Basketball
- Gymnastic
- Skier
- Baseball
- Hockey
- Volleyball
- Tennis
1. Jammed finger
It occurs when the tip of the finger is struck when it is fully extended, causing discomfort and difficulty in bending, straightening and gripping. A sprain’s severity increases about the force that caused it. It is common among basketball players.
2. Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC)
The TFCC is an essential part of the wrist and supports the carpal bones. Active people, especially those who use a racquet, bat, or club or engage in gymnastics, are more likely to sustain a TFCC injury in Singapore. The precise nature of the TFCC injury determines the surgical options available for treating the condition. See a hand surgeon evaluate your symptoms and develop a treatment plan.
3. Scaphoid fracture
Overextension of the wrist causes the scaphoid bone to fracture when a player falls onto a hand. As a result, one of the tiny bones in the wrist breaks, causing immediate, excruciating pain below the thumb and a great deal of instability.
4. Wrist ligament
Overuse or severe damage can cause tears in the ligaments and cartilage that support the wrist. An arm raised taking a heavy hit might unusually twist the wrist, leading to this condition. You may need to undergo wrist pain treatment in Singapore to heal properly.
5. Skier’s thumb
Injury to the ulnar collateral ligament causes a skier’s thumb, which means the ligament is either overstretched or ripped. Any action or mishap that puts your thumb into an excessive posture might also cause damage.
6. Trigger finger
Trigger finger develops when inflammation in the tendon attaches the finger to the hand. Like pulling and releasing a trigger, you might pop your finger in or out of a bent or straightened position. A hand and wrist specialist in Singapore can diagnose this without extensive testing.
7. De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
It is an inflammatory condition that affects the tendon that attaches the forearm to the thumb. Golfers and tennis players risk carpal tunnel syndrome because their sports require repetitive hand and wrist motions.
8. Wrist fractures
One of the common wrist injuries is dealing with distal radius fractures. It often happens when someone falls on their extended or flexed hand.
It can be classified as either a Colles or Smith fracture, based on which way the radius cracks. Distal radius fractures in athletes are managed in much the same way as in the general population, with a few important exceptions.
9. Carpal tunnel syndrome
Injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome in Singaporeare common in professional esports players. It can be caused by a combination of anatomical factors, health issues, and perhaps repeated hand motions.
Other common causes of hand problems for gamers and streamers include weakened tendons or ligaments that can’t withstand long periods of repetitive stress.
What’s The Distinction Between Wrist Sprain And Fracture?
It can be difficult to distinguish between a sprain and a fracture because they have many of the same symptoms and sources. Although only a hand and wrist specialist in Singapore can provide a definitive diagnosis and determine the best course of therapy, there are some telltale signs to look out for:
1. Popping sounds
A popping sound at the time of injury, indicative of a ruptured ligament, is a common symptom of a wrist sprain. Cracking is a common symptom of fractures, and some patients report hearing a little crunching whenever they move after sustaining a fracture, but this is not the case with sprains.
2. Mobility
A fracture may limit how you move or do things. Picking up a small piece of tissue may seem like hard work. Wrist pain, however, may not be accompanied by a significant loss of mobility.
3. Pain
Both wrist sprain and fracture cause excruciating pain when the injured body part is in motion but dull agony when resting. Pain from a fracture that has been immobilised may be described as aching, whereas the pain from a sprain may be more of a pulsating kind.
4. Lack of feeling and sensation
Numbness may follow a fracture because of the increased nerve and blood vessel injury risk. Without prompt medical attention, long-term repercussions may require surgical intervention.
5. Treatment
Hand and wrist pain treatment in Singapore may depend on the cause and situation. Rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain relievers are often effective treatments for a mild wrist sprain. In contrast, healing from a fracture typically takes quite some time and may involve surgical intervention.
When Is It Time To Visit A Hand And Wrist Specialist?
It’s a frequent misconception that it’s not fractured if you can still move your hand or wrist. That is not the case at all. Swelling, bruising, and pain that persists beyond two days should be checked by a hand and wrist specialist in Singapore.
Since the wrist is both complex and delicate, self-treatment is usually not advised. Doctors can treat wrist sprain and fracture either through non-invasive treatment or surgically.
Get treated by trusted professionals.
Dr Jacqueline Tan is a hand and wrist specialist in Singapore that heads up the team at Advanced Hand, Wrist & Nerve Centre, where they strive to provide patients with a wide range of high-quality services in one location. They guarantee a timely diagnosis and effective treatment based on your needs. Experience pain-free movement by contacting them today.
