Athletes should seek evaluation from a hand or upper extremity specialist if they experience persistent pain, swelling, stiffness, numbness, or reduced grip strength after training or competition. Ignoring early symptoms can lead to more serious injuries, such as tendon ruptures, ligament tears, or chronic joint instability.
A specialist like Dr. Badia can perform advanced diagnostic imaging and physical assessments to identify the root cause of discomfort. His expertise in hand, wrist, and elbow arthroscopy enables him to detect subtle injuries that might not appear on X-rays alone.
Even minor injuries, when untreated, can compromise athletic performance and cause compensatory strain in other joints. By getting evaluated early, athletes can benefit from customized treatment plans, including regenerative medicine options (like PRP therapy) or minimally invasive surgery when necessary, to accelerate recovery and protect long-term function.