Google

Tuesday 4 March 2008

Flexor Carpi Ulnaris tendinopathy in Goalkeeper


Lance (not his real name) is a badminton and futsal athlete who deflected a fast soccer ball during play 10 months ago. He was given a physiotherapy and wrist brace for several months but he could not resume competitive play due to Ulnar-sided wrist pain. He could not palm-off the ball (hyperextended wrist) and do forceful wrist skills (e.g. lob, flick, repetitive jabbing and smashing) with the badminton racquet.

He had tenderness over the Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) and along the Flexor Carpi Ulnaris tendon, pain with wrist hyperextension and resisted flexion of the hyperextended wrist joint. He also had laxity of the Distal Radio-ulna Joint.



He did not want to do further investigations (plain X-rays, Ultrasound scan and possibly an MRI) despite being advised so. We proceeded to teach him how to tape his wrist and forearm to give him a pain-free range of motion while allowing explosive powerful smashes (badminton) and some goalkeeping. He was given some Theraband exercises and proprioceptive exercises using a soccer ball for balance.

I expect him to take at least 6 - 8 weeks to return to normal play. However, if he is keen on competitive soccer, he would require further investigations and possibly, surgery to rectify the TFCC and DRUJ injury.

Interesting links:
TFCC Injuries
Ulnar-sided wrist pain

2 comments:

Leo Ong said...

Recently my wrist is painful when playing badminton. It is usually at the beginning when I start playing. Sharp pains that will subside after awhile.

How can I warm up my wrist and how to further prevent this?

-"Lance"

Dr Aston Ngai Seng Huey said...

Seriously I think you shouldnt do too much wrist work when you have the pain. Did you tighten the strings? Maybe you should use a lesser tension. Try refining your skill to do those flicks and jabs. You should ice your wrist after play. Consider some taping to restrict the painful movements. Let me know if this works. Cheers!