Hand and wrist injuries in professional county cricket

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to examine the mechanism and subsequent treatment modalities of hand and wrist injuries sustained in a professional cricket team.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of prospectively collected injury data at Gloucestershire County Cricket Club (GCCC) over six seasons (2008-2013). We investigated all injuries sustained, treated by the team lead physiotherapist and senior author.

Results: There were a total of 64 injuries recorded, with 55 (86%) hand and 9 (14%) wrist injuries. The little and ring fingers were the most commonly injured, and the most commonly occurring specific injury was distal interphalangeal joint dislocations. The majority of injuries, 33 (52%), occurred during fielding activities. There were a total of 10 fractures (16%), predominantly phalangeal, and only 7 players (11%) had injuries that required operative intervention.

Conclusions: The majority of injuries sustained by professional cricketers occur in the little and ring fingers, whilst fielding during match situations. We recommend buddy strapping of little and ring fingers during fielding to prevent injury.

Keywords: Cricket; Hand Injury; Injury Surveillance; Wrist Injury.