Acute Fractures in Sport: Wrist

Wrist fractures account for 3–9% of all athletic injuries. Fractures of the wrist involve the distal radius, distal ulna and the carpus. Distal radius fractures and scaphoid fractures are more common than fractures of the distal ulna and other carpal bones. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate early management are essential to avoid adverse outcomes. The mechanism of these injuries is usually due to direct trauma or, rarely, secondary to overload. The diagnosis can usually be made with an adequate history and examination in conjunction with plain radiographs. Some fractures (particularly carpal fractures) may only be visible with secondary imaging such as computerised tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Management is determined by the demands of the patient, as well as fracture displacement and stability. One of the biggest challenges in managing athletes with wrist fractures is the real or apparent pressure on the clinician to minimise the time away from sport.