Wrist pain in adult athletes.

As more and more adults become physically active, primary care physicians are seeing an increasing number of wrist injuries. Effective treatment is based on (1) accurate diagnosis, (2) maintenance of bone and joint-surface alignment until healing of bone, soft tissue, or both occurs, and (3) institution of an appropriate rehabilitation program. After symptoms have subsided, patients can gradually return to athletic participation. The long-term sequelae of wrist injuries are yet to be determined. If it is assumed that such injury causes a form of joint trauma, then analogies may be drawn to other types of musculoskeletal trauma, in which such factors as joint-surface and bone malalignment can lead to abnormal cartilage wear, predisposing patients to degenerative arthritis. Similarly, untreated ligament injuries may alter joint biomechanics, which can also lead to joint-surface trauma. Further clinical study should clarify the long-term effects of wrist injury.