Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Wrist and Hand Injuries in Handball

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Handball Sports Medicine

  • 1813 Accesses

Abstract

Wrist and hand injuries are frequent in handball, and correct management can optimize an athlete’s return to competitive play. Scaphoid fractures are the most common bone injuries and should be diagnosed rapidly because of potentially serious complications. The severity of thumb and finger sprains varies and may require surgical treatment. While standard X-rays and ultrasound (US) are the primary imaging modalities, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized tomography (CT) scans should be discussed when necessary. The choice between conservative and surgical treatment depends upon the severity of the injury, the athlete’s level of play, and time of injury from the end of the season.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 139.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 229.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Engebretsen L, Soligard T, Steffen K, et al. Sports injuries and illnesses during the London summer Olympic games 2012. Br J Sports Med. 2013;47(7):407–14. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2013-092380.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Bere T, Alonso J-M, Wangensteen A, et al. Injury and illness surveillance during the 24th men’s Handball World Championship 2015 in Qatar. Br J Sport Med. 2015;49(17):1151–6. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2015-094972.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Giroto N, Hespanhol Junior LC, Gomes MR, Lopes AD. Incidence and risk factors of injuries in Brazilian elite handball players: a prospective study. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2017;27:195–202. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12636.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Fagerli UM, Lereim I, Sahlin Y. Injuries in handball players. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 1990;110(4):475–8.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Jørgensen U. Epidemiology of injuries in typical Scandinavian team sports. Br J Sports Med. 1984;18(2):59–63.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  6. Seil R, Rupp S, Tempelhof S, Kohn D. Sports injuries in team handball. A one-year prospective study of sixteen men's senior teams of a superior nonprofessional level. Am J Sports Med. 1998;26(5):681–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Langevoort G, Myklebust G, Dvorak J, Junge A. Handball injuries during major international tournaments. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2007;17(4):400–7.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Olsen OE, Myklebust G, Engebretsen L, Bahr R. Injury pattern in youth team handball: a comparison of two prospective registration methods. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2006 Dec;16(6):426–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Nielsen AB, Yde J. An epidemiologic and traumatologic study of injuries in handball. Int J Sports Med. 1988;9(5):341–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Wedderkopp N, Kaltoft M, Lundgaard B, Rosendahl M, Froberg K. Injuries in young female players in European team handball. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 1997;7(6):342–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Moller M, Attermann J, Myklebust G, Wedderkopp N. Injury risk in Danish youth and senior elite handball using a new SMS text messages approach. Br J Sports Med. 2012;46(7):531–7. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2012-091022.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Hove LM. Epidemiology of scaphoid fractures in Bergen, Norway. Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg Hand Surg. 1999;33(4):423–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Sendher R, Ladd AL. The scaphoid. Orthop Clin North Am. 2013;44(1):107–20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Blum A, Sauer B, Detreille R, et al. Le diagnostic des fractures récentes du scaphoïde : revue de la littérature. J Radiol. 2007;88(5 Pt 2):741–59.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Steinmann SP, Adams JE. Scaphoid fractures and nonunions: diagnosis and treatment. J Orthop Sci. 2006;11(4):424–31.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  16. Dias JJ, Singh HP. Displaced fracture of the waist of the scaphoid. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2011;93(11):1433–9. https://doi.org/10.1302/0301-620X.93B11.26934.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Pesquer L, Paris G. Fractures du scaphoide. In: Imagerie de la main et du poignet. Montpellier: Sauramps Médical; 2013. p. 108–22.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Taljanovic MS, Karantanas A, Griffith JF, et al. Imaging and treatment of scaphoid fractures and their complications. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol. 2012;16(2):159–73. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0032-1311767.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Geissler WB, Adams JE, Bindra RR, Lanzinger WD, Slutsky DJ. Scaphoid fractures: what’s hot, what’s not. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2012;94(2):169–81. https://doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.942icl.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Memarsadeghi M, Breitenseher MJ, Schafer-Prokop C, et al. Occult scaphoid fractures: comparison of multidetector CT and MR imaging—initial experience. Radiology. 2006;240(1):169–76.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Thavarajah D, Syed T, Shah Y, Wetherill M. Does scaphoid bone bruising lead to occult fracture? A prospective study of 50 patients. Injury. 2011;42(11):1303–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2011.02.020.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Welling RD, Jacobson JA, Jamadar DA, Chong S, Caoli EM, Jebson PJ. MDCT and radiography of wrist fractures: radiographic sensitivity and fracture patterns. Am J Roentgenol. 2008;190(1):10–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Fusetti C, Poletti PA, Pradel PH, et al. Diagnosis of occult scaphoid fracture with high-spatial-resolution sonography: a prospective blind study. J Trauma. 2005;59(3):677–81.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Hauger O, Bonnefoy O, Moinard M, Bersani D, Diard F. Occult fractures of the waist of the scaphoid early diagnosis by high-spatial_resolution sonography. Am J Roentgenol. 2002;178:1239–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Platon A, Poletti PA, Van Aaken J, et al. Occult fractures of the scaphoid: the role of ultrasonography in the emergency department. Skelet Radiol. 2011;40(7):869–75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Senall JA, Failla JM, Bouffard JA, Van Hosbeeck M. Ultrasound for the early diagnosis of clinically suspected scaphoid fracture. J Hand Surg Am. 2004;29(3):400–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Kawamura K, Chung KC. Treatment of scaphoid fractures and nonunions. J Hand Surg Am. 2008;33(6):988–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhsa.2008.04.026.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  28. Herbert TJ, Fisher WE. Management of the fractured scaphoid using a new bone screw. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1984;66(1):114–23.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Singh HP, Taub N, Dias JJ. Management of displaced fractures of the waist of the scaphoid: meta-analyses of comparative studies. Injury. 2012;43(6):933–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2012.02.012.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Buijze GA, Goslings JC, Rhemrev SJ, et al. Cast immobilization with and without immobilization of the thumb for nondisplaced and minimally displaced scaphoid waist fractures: a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial. J Hand Surg Am. 2014;39(4):621–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhsa.2013.12.039.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Rettig AC, Weidenbener EJ, Gloyeske R. Alternative management of midthird scaphoid fractures in the athlete. Am J Sports Med. 1994;22(5):711–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Merrell G, Slade J. Technique for percutaneous fixation of displaced and nondisplaced acute scaphoid fractures and select nonunions. J Hand Surg Am. 2008;33(6):966–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhsa.2008.04.023.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Haddad FS, Goddard NJ. Acute percutaneous scaphoid fixation. A pilot study. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1998;80(1):95–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Modi CS, Nancoo T, Powers D, Ho K, Boer R, Turner SM. Operative versus nonoperative treatment of acute undisplaced and minimally displaced scaphoid waist fractures—a systematic review. Injury. 2009;40(3):268–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2008.07.030.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Knobloch K, Krämer R, Redeker J, Spies M, Vogt PM. Scaphoid fracture in motocross riders. Sportverletz Sportschaden. 2009;23(4):217–20. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0028-1109927.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Ahmed U, Malik S, David M, et al. The headless compression screw—technical challenges in scaphoid fracture fixation. J Orthop. 2015;12(Suppl 2):S211–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jor.2015.10.003.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  37. Bushnell BD, McWilliams AD, Messer TM. Complications in dorsal percutaneous cannulated screw fixation of nondisplaced scaphoid waist fractures. J Hand Surg Am. 2007;32(6):827–33.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Bond CD, Shin AY, McBride MT, Dao KD. Percutaneous screw fixation or cast immobilization for nondisplaced scaphoid fractures. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2001;83-A(4):483–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Dias JJ, Wildin CJ, Bhowal B, Thompson JR. Should acute scaphoid fractures be fixed? A randomized controlled trial. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2005;87(10):2160–8.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. MM MQ, Gelbke MK, Wakefield A, Will EM, Gaebler C. Percutaneous screw fixation versus conservative treatment for fractures of the waist of the scaphoid: a prospective randomised study. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2008;90(1):66–71.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Grewal R, King GJ. An evidence-based approach to the management of acute scaphoid fractures. J Hand Surg Am. 2009;34(4):732–4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhsa.2008.12.027.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Mack GR, Bosse MJ, Gelberman RH, Yu E. The natural history of scaphoid non-union. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1984;66(4):504–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Hackney LA, Dodds SD. Assessment of scaphoid fracture healing. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2011;4(1):16–22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12178-011-9072-0.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  44. Cerezal L, Abascal F, Canga A, Garcia-Valtuille R, Bustamante M, de Piñal F. Usefulness of gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging in the evaluation of the vascularity of scaphoid nonunions. Am J Roentgenol. 2000;174(1):141–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Meyer P, Pesquer L. Entorse de l’articulation métacarpophalangienne du pouce et effet Stener. In: Pesquer L, Dallaudiere B, Meyer P, editors. Imagerie de la main et du poignet. Montpellier: Sauramps Médical; 2013. p. 211–20.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Moberg E, Stener B. Injuries to the ligaments of the thumb and fingers; diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. Acta Chir Scand. 1953;106(2–3):166–86.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Heyman P, Gelberman RH, Duncan K, Hipp JA. Injuries of the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint. Biomechanical and prospective clinical studies on the usefulness of valgus stress testing. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1993;292:165–71.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Hergan K, Mittler C. Sonography of the injured ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1995;77(1):77–83.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Melville D, Jacobson JA, Haase S, et al. Ultrasound of displaced ulnar collateral ligament tears of the thumb: the Stener lesion revisited. Skelet Radiol. 2013;42(5):667–73. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-012-1519-x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Milner CS, Manon-Matos Y, Thirkannad SM. Gamekeeper’s thumb—a treatment-oriented magnetic resonance imaging classification. J Hand Surg Am. 2015;40(1):90–5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhsa.2014.08.033.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Ebrahim FS, De Maeseneer M, Jager T, Marcelis S, Jamadar DA, Jacobson DA. Diagnosis of UCL tears of the thumb and Stener lesions: technique, pattern based approach, and differential diagnosis. Radiographics. 2006;26(4):1007–20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Lutsky K, Levi D, Beredjiklian P. Utility of MRI for diagnosing complete tears of the collateral ligaments of the metacarpophalangeal joints of the lesser digits. Hand (N Y). 2014;9(1):112–6. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11552-013-9558-x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Haramati N, Hiller N, Dowdle J, et al. MRI of the Stener lesion. Skelet Radiol. 1995;24(7):515–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Patel S, Potty A, Taylor EJ, Sorene ED. Collateral ligament injuries of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb: a treatment algorithm. Strategies Trauma Limb Reconstr. 2010;5(1):1–10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11751-010-0079-7.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  55. Pichora DR, McMurtry RY, Bell MJ. Gamekeepers thumb: a prospective study of functional bracing. J Hand Surg Am. 1989;14(3):567–73.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Martin-ferrero M, de Pedro JA, Ferandes CH, et al. Acute finger injuries. In: Chick G, editor. Acute and chronic finger injuries in ball sports. Paris: Springer; 2013. p. 342–7.

    Google Scholar 

  57. Katolik LI, Friedrich J, Trumble TE. Repair of acute ulnar collateral ligament injuries of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint: a retrospective comparison of pull-out sutures and bone anchor techniques. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2008;122(5):1451–6. https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0b013e31818.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Lee AT, Carlson MG. Thumb metacarpophalangeal joint collateral ligament injury management. Hand Clin. 2012;28(3):361–70. ix-x. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hcl.2012.05.024.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Freiberg A, Pollard BA, Macdonald MR, Duncan MJ. Management of proximal interphalangeal joint injuries. Hand Clin. 2006;22(3):235–42.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Pesquer L, Dehaut FX, Dallaudiere B, Moreau-durieux MH. Les doigts du sportif. In: Pesquer L, Dallaudiere B, Meyer P, editors. Imagerie de la main et du poignet. Montpellier: Sauramps Medical; 2013. p. 221–40.

    Google Scholar 

  61. Westerheide E, Failla JM, Van Hoolsbeeck M. Ultrasound visualization of central slip injuries of the finger extensor mechanism. J Hand Surg. 2003;23:1009–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. MSK Imaging Department, Clinique du Sport de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France

    Lionel Pesquer

  2. Hand and Wrist Unit, Latour Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland

    Grégoire Chick

  3. Aspetar, Orthopedic and Sports Medicine, Doha, Qatar

    Grégoire Chick

Authors
  1. Lionel Pesquer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Grégoire Chick
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, Coventry, United Kingdom

    Lior Laver

  2. Department of Surgery, Aspetar - Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar

    Philippe Landreau

  3. Clinique d’Eich, Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg Clinique d’Eich, Luxembourg, Luxembourg

    Romain Seil

  4. Aspetar - Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical College, Doha, Qatar

    Nebojsa Popovic

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 ESSKA

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Pesquer, L., Chick, G. (2018). Wrist and Hand Injuries in Handball. In: Laver, L., Landreau, P., Seil, R., Popovic, N. (eds) Handball Sports Medicine. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-55892-8_17

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-55892-8_17

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-662-55891-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-55892-8

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation