Hand tendon injuries in athletics.

Hand tendon injuries may be caused by acute trauma or chronic overuse. Although these injuries are common in athletics, specific diagnoses can be difficult to make and are often delayed. Early diagnosis is the key to a good outcome. Most hand tendon injuries do well with nonoperative treatment when initiated early. Long-term disruption of the delicate balance of muscle forces in the hand will lead to secondary changes that are often difficult to correct. Delay in treatment of overuse injuries may produce chronic inflammation that does not respond to conservative care and requires operative management. A sound knowledge of hand anatomy, awareness of the differential diagnosis, and a high index of suspicion are needed for proper care of the athletic hand injury.