Dr. Desmond Stutzman, orthopedic hand and elbow surgeon at OrthoNeuro, recently spoke at
the OrthoAlliance OrthoInsights Educational Webinar, focusing on common hand and wrist
injuries in sports. The webinar attracted athletes, coaches, and patients eager to learn more
about diagnosing and treating these injuries to help athletes recover and return to play.
Dr. Stutzman covered several common sports-related injuries, including finger sprains, jersey
finger, skier’s thumb, and scaphoid fractures. He emphasized the importance of timely diagnosis
and appropriate treatment to avoid long-term complications, explaining how surgical and non-
surgical approaches can aid recovery.
Finger Sprains: Finger sprains occur when the ligaments in the finger are stretched or torn due
to impact or overextension, which is common in sports like basketball or volleyball. Dr. Stutzman
discussed non-surgical treatments such as buddy taping, splinting, and physical therapy to
restore strength and function. For severe sprains with ligament tears, surgical repair may be
necessary.
Jersey Finger: This injury happens when the tendon that helps bend the fingertip is torn, often
during contact sports when the finger gets caught in an opponent’s jersey. Dr. Stutzman
explained that jersey finger almost always requires surgery to reattach the tendon, emphasizing
the need for early surgical intervention to ensure full recovery. After surgery, rehabilitation is
essential for regaining strength and flexibility.
Skier’s Thumb: A skier’s thumb is an ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury that typically occurs
when the thumb is forcefully hyperextended, such as during a fall while skiing or playing football.
Dr. Stutzman outlined treatment options that depend on the severity of the tear. Mild cases can
be treated with bracing, while complete tears often require surgical repair. Physical therapy
following treatment helps restore grip strength and mobility.
Scaphoid Fractures: Dr. Stutzman gave special attention to scaphoid fractures, a common
wrist injury in athletes caused by falls onto an outstretched hand, particularly in sports like
snowboarding or skateboarding. Scaphoid fractures can be challenging to detect, and if left
untreated, they can lead to poor healing due to the bone’s limited blood supply. Dr. Stutzman
stressed the importance of early diagnosis through imaging, such as X-rays or MRIs, to avoid
complications like non-union or arthritis.
Non-surgical treatment for minor scaphoid fractures includes immobilization with a cast.
However, due to the bone’s limited healing capacity, many cases require surgical intervention,
where screws or pins are used to stabilize the fracture. Post-surgery rehabilitation is vital in
regaining strength and range of motion in the wrist, helping athletes return to their sport as soon
as possible.
Throughout the webinar, Dr. Stutzman emphasized a personalized approach to treating hand
and wrist injuries. He explained that treatment plans should be tailored to the specific needs of
the injury and the athlete’s activity level. Whether it’s conservative management with splints,
bracing, and physical therapy or advanced surgical techniques, the goal is to restore function
and prevent future injury.
Rehabilitation plays a crucial role in the recovery process. Dr. Stutzman highlighted the
importance of physical therapy in regaining mobility and strength. A well-structured rehab
program ensures that athletes recover fully and minimize the risk of re-injury when they return to
their sport.
If you missed Dr. Stutzman’s live presentation on August 28th, please click the link below
to view the recording.
