Gymnasts Experiences/Advice for wrist complications?

[winn28winn]

I have been experiencing pain in my right wrist since June of 2023. For the first few months, it would come for a week, then disappear for a month or so before returning. In September of 2023, the wrist pain stayed consistent and I have basically had it since.

Got checked by a specialist in December of 2023, diagnosed with De Quervain's Tenosynovitis, and did Occupational Therapy twice a week until May 2024. I was offered cortisone in January of 2024, but they could not administer it to me because you have to take 4 weeks off with no planking to avoid tendon rupturing and that was going to be impossible with the gymnastics season beginning. I just taped it for the whole season, and usually taping it would give me zero pain. Some days I would still feel the pain, but most days it was nothing. In May of 2024, the taping stopped working. Finally got the cortisone shot, and it worked great.

Got cortisone on May 13, and started putting pressure on it again June 13. I was able to practice without pain for about 2 weeks, then I started getting pain on Monday's, but I assumed it was because it got stiff over the weekend since those are the days I don't practice. I then would be fine the rest of the week. Took 2 weeks off during the beginning of July for the gym's summer break, and during this time my wrist flared up. Since returning to practice this week, the pain has begun to be unbearable again, and upon talking to my doctor I am scheduled for another cortisone injection on August 15.

I feel like the time period of pain relief was less time than the time I need to take off in between cortisone injections. I wanted to hear if anyone had an experience similar to this, as I am unsure if this route is a route I should continue to take. I am starting to lose my passion for gymnastics due to this injury, but I stay in the sport because I still have a love for the feeling of doing gymnastics when I am pain-free. I know a lot of people will eventually develop this injury on both wrists, especially in gymnastics, but I have never had any complications on my left wrist. I know my wrist will never fully heal, but I appreciate any comments or suggestions on this matter.

 

[raenndrops]

I also have De Quervain's Tenosynovitis (or as one of the kids I tutor calls it, Mexican Tendonitis). What level are you in? Are you still doing your OT exercises? Are you doing rice bucket exercises?

My youngest gymmie, LSS (17 yo), had to miss out on Y Nationals after getting the diagnosis 12 days before she was supposed to compete. I had suspected it 6 days before that based on her symptoms, which is why she went to the doctor in the first place.

For mine, I still wear my brace at home if I have been having any pain. I have a less bulky brace that I wear if necessary when I leave home. I also go back to my OT home exercises and rice (corn) bucket exercises.

Good luck.

 

[winn28winn]

I also have De Quervain's Tenosynovitis (or as one of the kids I tutor calls it, Mexican Tendonitis). What level are you in? Are you still doing your OT exercises? Are you doing rice bucket exercises?

My youngest gymmie, LSS (17 yo), had to miss out on Y Nationals after getting the diagnosis 12 days before she was supposed to compete. I had suspected it 6 days before that based on her symptoms, which is why she went to the doctor in the first place.

For mine, I still wear my brace at home if I have been having any pain. I have a less bulky brace that I wear if necessary when I leave home. I also go back to my OT home exercises and rice (corn) bucket exercises.

Good luck.

Hi,

I competed Xcel Diamond last season, but I am training level 8/9 skills. When I was discharged from OT they gave me 3 exercises to do every other day, which I keep up with. I also ice and heat almost everyday. However, I was never recommended rice bucket exercises.

I wear my brace everyday at all times. I wear it to sleep, when driving, etc. I am considering getting another referral to OT when I go for my next cortisone injection on August 15.

Thank you for the response!

 

[Aussie_coach]

I find a big cause of wrist pain is poor technique, on common skills. If the poor technique is repeated frequently then the problem becomes very chronic.

Most commonly the mistake of turning hand out when doing skills like handstands, walkovers, back handsprings, front handsprings etc. This puts pressure in the Ulna and Radius bone as the wrong angle.

The other big issue tend to be under cut back handsprings. Usually due to take off position or take off timing issues. This causes the gymnast to land on their hands with their wrists at a hyper flexed angle. When done over and over again, it puts enormous pressure in the wrists.

As well as poor technique lack of flexibility can be an issues. Some gymnasts have inflexible wrists. If you can’t put your arm forward and place it on the wall with the palm flat and fingers pointing up, while your arm is directly in line with the shoulder. The wrists need more flexibility.

Lack of flexibility in the shoulders and hip flexors can be an issue too. If the gymnast is not flexible enough, then they have of over compensate with undercutting and poor technique.

Gymnasts should be able to do a bridge with arms straight and shoulders over hands. If you do a bridge with your wrists up agains the wall, your armpits should be able to touch the wall without bending arms.

They would be able to stand and lift their arms up to their ears without having to compensate by arm king their back.

For hip flexors, they should be able to sit in a 180 degree split sitting up with their back vertical.

If these things are lacking, then improving them will how pressure off the wrists.

 

[winn28winn]

I find a big cause of wrist pain is poor technique, on common skills. If the poor technique is repeated frequently then the problem becomes very chronic.

Most commonly the mistake of turning hand out when doing skills like handstands, walkovers, back handsprings, front handsprings etc. This puts pressure in the Ulna and Radius bone as the wrong angle.

The other big issue tend to be under cut back handsprings. Usually due to take off position or take off timing issues. This causes the gymnast to land on their hands with their wrists at a hyper flexed angle. When done over and over again, it puts enormous pressure in the wrists.

As well as poor technique lack of flexibility can be an issues. Some gymnasts have inflexible wrists. If you can’t put your arm forward and place it on the wall with the palm flat and fingers pointing up, while your arm is directly in line with the shoulder. The wrists need more flexibility.

Lack of flexibility in the shoulders and hip flexors can be an issue too. If the gymnast is not flexible enough, then they have of over compensate with undercutting and poor technique.

Gymnasts should be able to do a bridge with arms straight and shoulders over hands. If you do a bridge with your wrists up agains the wall, your armpits should be able to touch the wall without bending arms.

They would be able to stand and lift their arms up to their ears without having to compensate by arm king their back.

For hip flexors, they should be able to sit in a 180 degree split sitting up with their back vertical.

If these things are lacking, then improving them will how pressure off the wrists.

Hi, I appreciate the response!

The only technique thing I can think of that I do based off your response is that when I do a back handspring on beam, I do turn my right hand (the injured one) inwards.

In terms of flexibility, I am actually pretty flexible. I do have hypermobile wrists, and my hip flexors are extremely hypermobile. I don't think for me it is a flexibility issue.

My guess it that it must be technique. The first time I felt this pain was after doing a back handspring on beam in June of 2023, but it was very minimal pain. However, because of this injury, I did not do back handsprings on beam for awhile and the pain still seemed to get worse regardless.

So far the left wrist is still heathy, I just hope I can figure out a fix for my right wrist.

Thank you for responding!