Wrist Fracture Prevention on the Lacrosse Field

Wrist Fracture Prevention on the Lacrosse Field

The wrist is a complicated joint. Made up of the intersection of eight small carpal bones of the hand that connect with the two bones of the forearm (the radius and ulna); this joint presents a wide range of possible opportunities for fractures.

Any way that the wrist breaks can result in significant pain and immobility, but when it comes to the most common type of fracture experienced by lacrosse players, a distal radius fracture, the pain can be especially intense and the recovery long. Depending on the severity of the break, a physician may have to reset the bone or even surgically repair the fracture. According to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, post-surgery stability can rely on the placement of pins, screws, plates, rods or external fixation.

Rothman Orthopaedic Institute wants to offer you wrist fracture prevention tips so you never even have to think about pins, screws, and plates in your body. All of that might seem a little overwhelming for the average lacrosse player, whose main concern is getting the ball in the opponent's net.

While understanding how to prevent fractures in sports is certainly important, in the heat of the game, wrist fracture prevention isn’t the first thing on an athlete’s mind. However, being aware of these tips below may be the difference between a season spent on the field or on the sideline.

Here’s How it Happens

First, let’s clarify the cause of this type of injury. Usually, a wrist fracture occurs from impact related to a fall onto an outstretched hand. The common causes of bone fractures often include severe trauma such as car accidents account for many such injuries, but they are also frequently experienced by athletes participating in contact sports, such as lacrosse.

A Lacrosse Player’s Guide to Wrist Fracture Prevention

• Focus on strengthening your bones: There’s nothing you can do about the fact that your sport involves significant contact. However, weak bones tend to break more easily, and that’s a factor you can control. Exercise regularly, eat a well-balanced diet that’s high in vitamins and nutrients and reduce your caffeine and alcohol consumption to contribute toward the prevention of broken bones.

• Focus on strengthening your muscles: Did you know that the health of your wrists depends upon the strength of the muscles on the tops and bottoms of your forearms? A helpful article from Yoga International explains the importance of strengthening and stretching exercises for the wrists. When there is persistent pain in the wrists, work with an athletic trainer or physical therapist to develop a conservative stretching and strengthening routine. Here are a few more ideas from U.S. Tennis Association on specific exercises to do for wrist strength.

• Wear the right gear: Lacrosse players reduce their chances of sustaining an injury by wearing all required padding. It’s also important to ensure that the equipment fits properly. The padded gloves that come standard with a lacrosse uniform should be worn at all times while playing (in practices too!). Of course, they won’t protect you from all injuries, but you’re better off with them than without them.

We hope these tips on wrist fracture prevention are helpful for you. Should you ever find yourself suffering from a wrist injury, remember that at Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, we have an entire specialty area dedicated to hand and wrist care. Our physicians are highly trained in the treatment and rehabilitation techniques related to wrist injuries, including fractures. We’re also known for our emphasis on sports medicine. With these two specialty areas collaborating to provide our athlete patients with comprehensive care, there’s no better place to be for a lacrosse-related wrist issue.

While we’re on the topic of lacrosse safety, take a few minutes to read another article we prepared concerning concussions in the sport.

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