Treating Hand Injuries in athletes

As a hand surgeon, I have had the privilege of working with numerous athletes, both professional and high-level weekend warriors. These individuals are often highly motivated and driven, with a passion for their sport that can lead them to push themselves to the limit. While this can be admirable, it can also present significant challenges when it comes to injury management and rehabilitation.

One of the biggest challenges in working with athletes is the pressure to return to the sport as quickly as possible. For professional athletes, the stakes are high and a potentially career-ending injury is always looming. For elite non-professional athletes, training and competition can be an important part of their identity and a key tool for managing stress and anxiety. It is therefore understandable that these individuals may be eager to return to training and competition as soon as possible, even at the risk of further injury.

However, as a hand surgeon, my primary concern is always the long-term health and well-being of my patients. Rushing back to sports before a full recovery can lead to re-injury, which can be even more debilitating and difficult to treat. In addition, repeated stress on the injured area can lead to longer-term problems such as arthritis, which can have a significant impact on quality of life.

To address these challenges, it is important to work closely with athletes to develop a rehabilitation plan that addresses their specific needs and goals. This may include a combination of physical therapy, medication and rest, as well as modifications to training and competition schedules. It is also important to provide athletes with realistic expectations about the recovery process and the potential risks of returning to sport too soon.

In addition, it is important to address the psychological aspects of injury and rehabilitation. Athletes may experience anxiety, depression, and a loss of identity and purpose when they are unable to participate in their sport. It is therefore important to provide emotional support and resources to help them cope with these challenges. This may include connecting them with a sport psychologist or counselor who can help them develop coping skills and strategies for managing stress and anxiety during the recovery process.

Finally, it is important to emphasize the importance of injury prevention in sport. This may include educating and training athletes on proper technique, warm-up and stretching exercises, and providing protective equipment when necessary. By emphasizing injury prevention, we can help athletes reduce their risk of injury and avoid the need for surgery and rehabilitation in the first place.

In conclusion, working with athletes as a hand surgeon can be challenging, but also very rewarding. By developing a comprehensive rehabilitation plan that takes into account each athlete's unique needs and goals, we can help them recover from injury and return to their sport in a safe and sustainable manner. By also addressing the psychological aspects of injury and emphasizing injury prevention, we can help athletes maintain their physical and mental well-being over the long term.

Elisabet Hagert, MD PhD Donald Lalonde Thomas APARD, MD, FEBHS Benjamin Ferembach Mauricio Leite Alejandro Badia, MD Dr. Rodney French