Hand Injuries in Football Players

Epidemiologic trends in hand injuries in the National Football League from 2009-2010 to 2019-2020

OBJECTIVES

In American football, hand injuries have been shown to negatively impact performance. The purpose of this study is to characterize the prevalence and severity of hand injuries in National Football League (NFL) players.

METHODS

A public online database was utilized to identify hand injuries in NFL players from 2009-2010 to 2019-2020. The primary outcome was to analyze the overall incidence of hand injuries (including wrist, metacarpus, finger, and thumb), injury type by each aforementioned anatomic location, and player position. Injury severity was evaluated based on percentage of injuries in which players returned to play (RTP), number of games missed before RTP, and the percentage of injuries resulting in the player being placed on injured reserve (IR).

RESULTS

Of the 6,127 players included, 847 (13.8%) players sustained a hand injury, of which 24.8%, 34.3%, 17.9%, and 22.9% occurred at the wrist, metacarpus, finger, and thumb, respectively. Of the injured players, 97.4% returned to play following their injury, 14.8% were put on IR, and an average of 1.7 (SD 3.3) games were missed. Quarterbacks were the most likely to sustain hand injuries at all anatomic locations. Wrist injuries were associated with the lowest RTP rate (93.3%), the most players placed on injured reserve (28.6%), and the greatest number of games missed (mean 2.5, SD 4.2).

CONCLUSION

Hand injuries decreased in prevalence by 65.6% over the 11 NFL seasons evaluated. This trend coincides with the implementation of several safety rules that relate to components of play involving the hands. Quarterbacks experienced the greatest prevalence and severity for all hand injuries. Wrist injuries represent the anatomic location associated with the greatest severity. These findings may be able to inform tailored injury prevention practices by position, and advocate for the further adoption of safety rules to protect players from further injury.

Finger joint injuries in active patients: pointers for acute and late-phase management

Finger joint injuries such as sprains, avulsions, jams, and dislocations can occur with contact and noncontact sports. Recognition and treatment of these injuries is necessary to avoid prolonged or permanent impairment. Many finger joint injuries can be treated conservatively with splinting and occupational therapy. Injuries such as 'mallet finger,' profundus tendon avulsions, large-fragment fracture-dislocations or other injuries with incongruity after reduction, and open extensor-mechanism injuries may require operative treatment. Operative treatment for complete collateral ligament ruptures at the PIP joint, though controversial, is recommended here.

Rehabilitation and use of protective devices in hand and wrist injuries

Hand and wrist injuries are common among athletes. Although the hand does not often bear weight and these injuries do not always sideline an athlete, careful attention must be paid when treating injuries of the hand and wrist. Rehabilitation is given for common injuries of the hand and wrist, including exercises and protective splints and braces. Details on how to fabricate a playing cast for athletes are also discussed.

Material properties: a factor in the selection and application of splinting materials for athletic wrist and hand injuries

Athletic injuries to the wrist and hand are common in clinical practice. When indicated, the use of a protective playing splint enables athletes to continue sports participation. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the splinting material properties that determine the materials' suitability for use in fabrication of a protective playing splint. A second aim is to present currently available splinting materials. The clinical reasoning process for material application and selection is based on understanding material properties, the type and severity of the injury, phase of treatment, and type of sport. Of the materials included in this paper, only the low-temperature materials are acceptable for use in construction of rigid splints. The no heat or layered materials can be used for fabricating the semirigid splints. It is suggested that meaningful comparisons between the material properties can only be made if laboratory and clinical comparative studies are conducted to compare the physical and mechanical properties of the splinting materials used in athletic application.

A New Protective Soft Splint for Contact Sports

Athletes who sustain metacarpal injuries such as nondisplaced and minimally displaced fractures or metacarpophalangeal dislocation have benefited from the use of a newly developed Plastizote hand/wrist orthotic device. This orthosis allows appropriate immobilization as well as early, safe, and effective return to contact sports during the healing process. Three case reports are presented along with applications and methods for fabricating this lightweight splint.