Diagnosis, treatment, and return to play for four common sports injuries of the hand and wrist

Hand and wrist injuries in the high-level athlete are challenging because they may be underestimated by the patient, family, and team, and return to play may be longer than desired. The needs of the player and the team must be balanced with the long-term functional ramifications of the injury. Four common soft-tissue sports injuries are flexor digitorum profundus avulsion, flexor pulley rupture, extensor carpi ulnaris dislocation, and thumb metacarpophalangeal joint ulnar collateral ligament injury. For each of these injuries, the assessment, treatment, and considerations for return to play should be individualized on the basis of the patient, the sport, and the timing of the injury.