Without a doubt, the FIFA World Cup is an event that stops the world. Beyond the maneuvers and skills with the ball, players must focus on maintaining an optimal state of health and taking care, as much as possible, not to suffer injuries that could keep them off the field.
Soccer injuries are quickly associated with knees, ankles, hips, and the lower extremities in general; however, there are a number of soccer players who are affected in the upper extremities, such as the shoulder, elbow, wrists, and fingers. Although these are listed as less frequent, they require careful attention. The wrist is a common area for sports injuries that can involve cartilage, ligaments, and the capsule, as well as bone injuries such as the distal radius or the scaphoid bone.
When these injuries occur, I personally look for the least invasive procedure possible to allow the athlete an optimal recovery in less time. This process is made possible by joint arthroscopy. Being a minimally invasive method, it now provides us with a more precise way to diagnose many of these subtle injuries.
While the indications for wrist arthroscopy have been well-established, new techniques using metacarpophalangeal and thumb carpometacarpal arthroscopy are evolving. This includes fixation methods, radiofrequency probes to remove and shrink tissue, and rehabilitation methods.
Injuries to the hand and wrist must be evaluated by an appropriate subspecialist, as this will not only prevent a misdiagnosis. It is important for the surgeon to know how to manage these problems and to interact with coaches and therapists.
Reminder: Free Talk in Lima
As previously mentioned, Dr. Alejandro Badia will visit Lima to offer a free talk on sports injuries of the upper extremities.
- Location: No Pain Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center (Miraflores).
- Date: Wednesday, January 18th.
- Time: 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm.
During his stay, the specialist will also hold meetings with local colleagues such as Dr. Verónica Rodríguez, Rocío Salas, PT, and Dr. Jorge Sarango.
