Overuse wrist injuries in adolescent platform and springboard divers

Abstract

ABSTRACT To investigate overuse wrist injuries in adolescent divers using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The bilateral wrists (76 wrists) of 38 professional divers were examined by MRI; 42 wrists with pain were placed in the symptomatic group, and 34 wrists without pain were placed in the asymptomatic group. Two experienced radiologists assessed the wrist injuries. Chi‑square test was used to compare the difference in injuries between the two groups. Subchondral osteosclerosis was observed in 47.62% of symptomatic wrists and 52.94% of asymptomatic wrists. Distal radial epiphyseal plate injury was detected in 42.86% of symptomatic wrists and 11.76% of asymptomatic wrists. Triangular fibrocartilage complex injury was observed in 19.04% of symptomatic wrists and 8.82% of asymptomatic wrists. Bursae around the wrist were observed in 21.42% of symptomatic wrists and 17.64% of asymptomatic wrists. The incidence of distal radial epiphyseal plate injury was higher in the symptomatic group than in the asymptomatic group (P = 0.007), however, other injuries were not statistically different between the two groups (P > 0.05). This study demonstrated that adolescent divers had various wrist injuries, and distal radial epiphyseal plate injury was more common in the symptomatic wrist; these injuries show no specific clinical symptoms and are easily overlooked.