Sports Related Hand Injuries in Hong Kong

Objective This study attempted to review the incidence of sports related hand injuries in one of the regional hospitals in Hong Kong and to study the intervention method used in this diagnostic group. Methods A retrospective study was conducted in 2009 to review all the referrals from the Department of Accident and Emergency to the Occupational Therapy Department. Injuries related to sports activities or exercises were selected and their demographic information including gender, age, types of sports engaged in, and types of injuries were recorded. Results A total of 596 patients were recorded and 62 of them were identified to have sports related injuries of the hand. Types of injuries included proximal interphalangeal joint volar plate injuries, phalangeal fractures, metacarpal fractures, mallet fingers and gamekeeper's thumb. Twelve different types of sports related injuries were identified, with most injuries caused by contact sports, namely basketball (44%) and football (26%). All patients were treated with standardized splintage and mobilization programme. Seventy-eight percent of the patients completed full course of the therapy and most of them had very satisfactory results in restoration of hand function. Residual problems such as joint stiffness, limitation of full range of motion were found only in five cases. Most of them returned to their previous sports with preventive gadgets. The management of various hand injuries was briefly discussed. Conclusion Incidence of sports related hand injuries appear to be on a rising trend and there should be special training for occupational therapists to provide quality therapy services to those injured.