Athletic injuries of the wrist and hand. Part I: traumatic injuries of the wrist.

Hand and wrist injuries in sports are some of the most common injuries reported. This review discusses briefly the causes of hand and wrist injuries in sports and discusses pertinent biomechanical findings regarding the range of motion required in different sports activities. The bulk of the review discusses specific traumatic and overuse injuries to the hand and wrist commonly seen in the athlete. Emphasis is placed on problematic traumatic injuries such as carpal scaphoid fractures and hook of the hamate fractures, as well as ligament injuries to the wrist with regard to diagnosis, treatment, and return to athletic competition.