Casting and Splinting Management for Hand Injuries in the In-Season Contact Sport Athlete

摘要

Context:Upper extremity injuries are extremely common in contact sports such as football, soccer, and lacrosse. The culture of competitive athletics provides an environment where hand injuries are frequently downplayed in an effort to prevent loss of game time. However, studies have shown that many sport-induced hand injuries do not actually require immediate surgical attention and can be safely treated through immobilization so that the athlete may complete the athletic season. In these cases, appropriate casting and splinting measures should be taken to ensure protection of the injured player and the other competitors without causing loss of game time.