Hand and Wrist Injury Care for Athletes

At New York Sports Spine Pain Medicine (NYSSPM), we specialize in diagnosing and treating hand and wrist injuries commonly experienced by athletes. Our Queens-based clinic offers personalized, non-surgical solutions to help you recover swiftly and safely, enabling a return to your active lifestyle.

Athletes are susceptible to various hand and wrist injuries due to the physical demands of their sports. Understanding these injuries is crucial for effective treatment and prevention.

• Scaphoid Fractures: The scaphoid is one of the small bones in the wrist, and fractures often occur from falls onto an outstretched hand, common in sports like skateboarding, snowboarding, and football. Symptoms include pain and swelling in the thumb side of the wrist, which may worsen with gripping or squeezing. 
• Wrist Sprains: These involve stretching or tearing of the ligaments in the wrist, typically resulting from a fall or sudden twist, prevalent in sports such as basketball, gymnastics, and skiing. Athletes may experience pain, swelling, and limited range of motion. 
• Boxer's Fracture: This fracture affects the metacarpal bones of the hand, often resulting from punching an object without proper hand protection, common in boxing and martial arts. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and bruising over the back of the hand, particularly near the knuckles. 
• Mallet Finger: This injury occurs when the extensor tendon is damaged, leading to an inability to straighten the fingertip. It often results from a direct blow to the fingertip, common in sports like baseball, basketball, and volleyball. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and drooping of the fingertip. 
• De Quervain's Tenosynovitis: This condition involves inflammation of the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist, often due to repetitive hand or wrist motions, common in sports like golf, tennis, and rowing. Athletes may experience pain and swelling near the base of the thumb, which can worsen with gripping or twisting motions. 

At NYSSPM, we offer a comprehensive range of non-surgical treatments tailored to address hand and wrist injuries, facilitating effective recovery and a prompt return to daily activities.

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Physiatry):

Our physiatrists specialize in restoring function and mobility through personalized rehabilitation programs. For hand and wrist injuries, this includes:

• Comprehensive Evaluations: Conducting thorough assessments to identify the specific causes of pain, such as fractures, ligament sprains, or tendonitis.
• Customized Exercise Plans: Developing targeted exercises to strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and enhance joint stability, thereby supporting recovery and preventing future injuries.
• Pain Management Techniques: Utilizing modalities like heat therapy, manual therapy, and, when necessary, image-guided injections such as corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and alleviate discomfort.
• Assistive Devices: Recommending splints or braces to support the hand and wrist during healing, enabling patients to resume their activities safely.
  

Interventional Pain Management:

To alleviate pain and reduce inflammation, we employ advanced, minimally invasive techniques such as:

• Ultrasound-Guided Injections: Delivering precise corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections into affected areas to decrease inflammation and enhance mobility.
• Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: Utilizing the patient's own platelets to promote healing in damaged tendons and ligaments, particularly beneficial for conditions like De Quervain's Tenosynovitis.
• Nerve Blocks: Temporarily disrupting specific nerve pathways to provide relief from chronic pain, aiding in rehabilitation efforts.
  

Physical Therapy:

Our licensed physical therapists develop individualized exercise programs aimed at:

• Manual Therapy: Applying hands-on techniques to mobilize joints and soft tissues, reducing pain and improving function.
• Therapeutic Modalities: Utilizing treatments such as ultrasound therapy, electrical stimulation, and cryotherapy to facilitate tissue healing and pain relief.
  

By integrating these specialized treatments, NYSSPM is dedicated to helping patients recover from hand and wrist injuries, restoring their performance levels, and preventing future occurrences.

• Expertise in Sports Medicine: Our team has extensive experience treating athletes across various disciplines, understanding the unique demands of sports-related injuries.
• Comprehensive, Personalized Care: We provide individualized treatment plans that address your specific needs and goals, ensuring optimal recovery.
• State-of-the-Art Facility: Our Queens clinic is equipped with advanced technology to deliver the highest standard of care.
  

Don’t let a hand or wrist injury sideline you. 

Our dedicated team is here to support you on your journey back to peak performance. Request an appointment with New York Sports Spine Pain Medicine today to begin your personalized treatment plan.