Acute wrist injuries in the athlete.

The athlete represents a special population in which injuries can occur either from a single acute traumatic event or as part of a continuum of overuse that leads to osseous or soft tissue failure. The spectrum of overuse with superimposed acute trauma makes the evaluation of the upper extremity in the competitive athlete more challenging. The expectation of this population for quick, full, painless recovery, coupled with the desire to return to the sport that caused the injury, makes the treatment difficult as well. This article will discuss athletic injuries of the forearm and wrist with an emphasis on evaluation, treatment, and criteria for return to play.