Stupid Wrist - grrrr

[crabby13]

wrist pain

Hi all. Just wanted to make you aware of a condition called gymnasts wrist. My dd dealt with it for two yrs. This past summer she had to have surgery to shorten her ulna and repair the TFCC (triangular fibrocartilage) in her left wrist. She now has a plate and screws holding her ulna together until it heals properly. Basically, the radial growth plate was so damaged from the repetitiveness of gymnastics, that it stopped growing. Therefore, the ulna grew too long and tore the cartilage. Arthroscopic surgery fixed the torn cartilage. Then, long arm cast for 6 wks. Dd will be out of gym for about 5-6 months before she can tumble again.
It has been a long, hard road so far. Occupational therapy starts next week. She is slowly making her way back. Her goal is to go to college on a gym scholarship. I'll be honest, sometimes I wish she'd walk away. She is a freshman this year.
She would've been a second year level 10, but instead she'll be cheering her teammates on at the meets.
Just wanted to tell our story so that no one ignores wrist pain. As you can see, it can be very serious. Good luck all!

 

[flippymonkeysmom]

I did quite a bit of research online, so I knew the wrist is nothing to take chances with in gymnastics - which is why I took her to a specialist - and now I am really glad I did. She will still go to practice probably 4 times a week to condition. Let me tell you this girl will have abs and legs of steel by the time this whole wrist thing is done !!! Thanks again all of you for your support. All my non-gym friends don't understand why I still have her in gymnastics if she actually has a broken wrist from it. Whatever

 

[Mom2Gymgirls]

Flippy: I'm glad you found out what the problem is and at least it's one that can be fixed. I think my daughter would have stayed with gymnastics if there was a plan and a timeline as to when it would be healed. It was the indefinite thing that was driving her nuts. I hope your daughter has a good recovery, and she should have very good lower body strength and probably wonderful dance too in her routines when she returns.

By the way, I was told by both doctors that physical therapy would do nothing for the growth plate problem. Does this make sense to everyone? I'm wondering because I keep reading places about people doing PT to strengthen their wrists but maybe this only applicable after fractures, etc.

 

[crabby13]

MOMto2gymgirls,

You're doctors were absolutely right. PT or OT will do nothing to help growth plate issues. The gymnast has to stop using her arms completely and let it heal. Usually, about 3 mos. or so. If not, it can lead to the worst case scenario as in my above post. Ice, Rest, and heal. Until these little ones are finished growing and their growth plates close, they are at risk.
Even after my dd does go back, she'll have to be watched closely. Or, we could end up with another surgery. Let's hope those growth plates close soon!!