Please confirm topic selection

Are you sure you want to trigger topic in your Anconeus AI algorithm?

Please confirm action

You are done for today with this topic.

Would you like to start learning session with this topic items scheduled for future?

Updated: Sep 8 2023

Gymnast's Wrist (Distal Radial Physeal Stress Syndrome)

Images
https://upload.orthobullets.com/topic/6052/images/mri wrist 3.jpg
https://upload.orthobullets.com/topic/6052/images/ap ulnar variance.jpg
https://upload.orthobullets.com/topic/6052/images/ap and lateral wrist2.jpg
  • Summary
    • Gymnast's wrist is a distal radius physeal injury most commonly due to overuse of the wrist primarily affecting young gymnasts.
    • Diagnosis is made clinically with tenderness at the distal radius with radiographs showing widened distal radial growth plate with ill-defined borders.
    • Treatment involves rest, NSAIDs and immobilization for 3-6 weeks. Rarely, in the case of premature physeal closure, surgical treatment is indicated.
  • Epidemiology
    • Incidence
      • up to 25% of non-elite gymnasts
  • Etiology
    • Pathophysiology
      • wrist undergoes supraphysiological loads due to use as a weight bearing joint.
      • repetitive stress causes inflammation at growth plate of distal radius.
      • microtrauma can lead to premature closure of distal radial physis resulting in secondary overgrowth of ulna.
    • Associated conditions
      • orthopaedic
        • distal ulnar overgrowth
        • positive ulnar variance
  • Presentation
    • Symptoms
      • wrist pain
        • usually radial sided
        • may be chronic in nature
    • Physical exam
      • inspection
        • swelling may be present at wrist
        • tenderness to palpation at distal radius
      • motion
        • decreased wrist flexion or extension may be present
  • Imaging
    • Radiographs
      • recommended views
        • AP and lateral of the wrist
      • findings
        • widened distal radial growth plate with ill-defined borders
        • positive ulnar variance with chronic cases
    • MRI
      • indications
        • chronic or cases non-responsive to treatment
      • findings
        • paraphyseal edema
        • early physeal bridging
        • bruising of radius
  • Diagnosis
    • Radiographic
      • diagnosis confirmed by history, physical exam, and radiographs
  • Treatment
    • Nonoperative
      • NSAIDS, rest, immobilization for 3-6 weeks
        • indications
          • first line of treatment
    • Operative
      • resection of physeal bridge
        • indications
          • small physeal closures
      • ulnar epiphysiodesis and shortening with radial osteotomy as needed
        • indications
          • large physeal closures (roughly 50% of physis)
  • Prognosis
    • Good outcomes associated with early treatment.
    • May lead to premature closure of distal radial physis.
Card
1 of 0
Question
1 of 1
Private Note