wrist suggestions please

flippymonkeysmom · #1 08-13-2008, 05:53 PM

Ok - my dd is having major issues with her wrist. We went to the ortho and he said it was tendinitis. She was supposed to be in a wrist splint for a full month (which would be until the 25th) Anyway - of course that was unacceptable to her - summer training is too much fun - and the doctor said she probably won't make it worse if she uses it moderately (yeah right). We have been icing, she's using tiger paws during vault and tumbling, and she has been doing wrist strengthening exercises. It started feeling better for a few days - which means she started working hard on it again. Yesterday and today she was doing giants (regular bar, not strap) and that has just killed it again. Now we are back to square one. She is in a lot of pain to put any pressure on it. Has anyone had any experience with this?? She is getting so frustrated because mentally she is so focused right now and really wants to work.

gymdog · #2 08-13-2008, 06:29 PM

Ooooh me too, among other problems. I'd take the time off. I eventually HAD to because I couldn't even flex my wrist (much less put weight on) without extreme pain, but luckily it was summer anyway. Now is the time. I just did a lot of stuff without hands. Giants don't hurt mine as much (when I can put weight on it) but some stuff on bars does. But it hurt less in undergrip (front giants) because my wrist was straighter. Maybe she can work on something like that on strap - I would tape the wrists. Actually I will do things like HSs on floor bars (or P-bars) because it hurts less so if she wants to do something like presses I would suggest on some floor bars set parallel.

flippymonkeysmom · #3 08-13-2008, 07:02 PM

I think the strap would bother it on strap bar. I think she is going to have to go back to doing things that won't aggravate it again and keep working on strengthening it. The bars for presses is a good idea - that way she doesn't have to flex the wrist to work them.

ginnymac · #4 08-13-2008, 07:03 PM

Putting on my Physical Therapy hat here...

Tendonitis is one of those annoyances that doesn't go away easily. A comprehensive program of rest, ice, STRETCHING and STRENGTHENING is a must. (strengthening both the wrist and grip strength). The rest alone usually helps, but without the stretching and strengthening portion, it will be easily irritated again (which seems to have happened here). I don't think that you mentioned any anti-inflammatory meds, but taken on a regular basis in combo with the above can also help stop the cycle of irritation.

If you have access to an orthopedic physical therapist (who is familiar with young athletes) it would probably be most beneficial to your daughter.

flippymonkeysmom · #5 08-14-2008, 05:45 AM

She has been doing strengthening - but I guess not long enough to make a difference yet. Thanks so much for the suggestions

gymmomntc2e6 · #6 08-14-2008, 05:50 AM

Sorry to hear about the tendonitis - I have had it in my shoulder several times and it is VERY painful.

I hope she feels better soon

Aussie_coach · #7 08-14-2008, 06:06 AM

It is really hard to tell a gymnast to take a break. The idea of going even just a day without gymnastics can drive them crazy. But the break is essential for her wrist to heal in order for her to be able to continue to progress in her gymnastics. Can you have a chat to the coach and organise for her to continue training but follow a different training program to the other girls where she does not do things with the wrist.

There are lots of things she can work on such as leg flexibility, static and active leg flexibility, conditioning for her lower and mid body. Lots of conditioning exersizes can be modified to work for her. Like holding shapes on her elbows instead of her hands and so on. She can work a lot of her floor skills like leaps, jumps, turns, balances and holds. She can work her floor routines and just leave out the acrobatics and tumbling. She can work her beam skills as well with leaps, jumps, turns, holds and so on. Some tumbling work would be ok too. Front and back tucks and layouts of course, general trampoline stuff that does not require hands and so on.

Tumblequeensmom · #8 08-14-2008, 08:36 AM

I agree w/everyone else here. I, too, know how frustrating it can be to try to "keep them down." DD broke her collarbone 2 weeks ago and she's driving everyone around here crazy, but I really think that allowing any injury to heal properly is better in the long run!!!

I took DD to MY gym w/me this a.m. to work out her lower body on some of the leg press machines, etc. She also did cardio on the stationary bike. Is that a possibility where you are? At least she can try to keep up her strength and cardio while she's "resting!"

-Lynn

**bogwoppit** · #9 08-14-2008, 08:46 AM

When I had to take Bigger Baby Bog out of gym for five weeks we stepped up swimming, biking and walking. She also had a programme that the sports therapist wrote for her to follow twice daily, it more than kept her busy and even though she hated not being in the gym I have found that being there can be just too tempting sometimes.

She has had enforced breaks quite a bit in the last two years, she is a bit behind the others now, but hey she can walk without pain and that has to be worth so much more than the loss of a few weeks of gym.

Her 5 week break has done wonders for her pain, but I am still vigilant and she still has to take care as now she understands that she (and not every girls who does gym) is susceptible to tendon issues.

I totally understand how frustrating this is for her, and you. But the cost of not taking care of this now is just too great, chronic pain is very unpleasant and long term physio is very, very expensive.

KBT · #10 08-14-2008, 09:14 AM

I agree with everyone else that rest combined with strength is probably the best thing. And when she does go back, ramp up SLOWLY. If there's any pain, back off. Tendons/ligaments are very touchy and hard to heal. Does she wear a wrist splint during the day so she's not using it much in day-to-day activities? That might help it heal faster.

You might also want to consider acupuncture. It can be very effective for things like this.