Water Skiing Hand & Wrist Injuries
Summer is upon us in Macomb County! And with more than 30 lakes and 32 miles of coastline on the western edge of Lake St. Clair, water skiing is a popular pastime in Macomb County. But while water skiing is an exhilarating water sport that combines speed, strength, and skill, the high-speed nature and the physical demands of water skiing can sometimes lead to injuries, particularly to the hands, wrists, and shoulders.
According to the According to a study by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, approximately 20,000 to more than 26,000 injuries are reported annually while water skiing, with a significant number of these involving the upper extremities.
At Macomb Hand Surgery, Dr. Uzma Rehman specializes in treating these types of injuries, ensuring you get back on the water safely and swiftly. In this article, she explains some of the most common injuries sustained while water skiing – and she explains how they can be treated.
Water Skiing Hand & Finger Injuries
Hand and finger injuries are quite common in water skiing – often due to the direct contact with the tow rope and the sudden forces experienced during falls or sudden stops. Lacerations and cuts can also occur from sharp objects in the water or the tow rope itself. Immediate cleaning and dressing are crucial with any break in the skin that has been exposed to lake water, to prevent infection.
Finger fractures during water skiing often result from impact with the water or with the tow handle, causing pain, swelling, and restricted movement. Dislocations can occur from the force of gripping the tow handle and sudden jerks, leading to deformity and pain.
Treatments for these injuries include cleaning and stitching lacerations, splinting fractures, and reducing and splinting dislocations. In most cases follow-up physical therapy with certified hand therapists – like those at Macomb Hand Surgery – can ensure the restoration of full function and mobility to the hand.
Water Skiing Arm & Wrist Injuries
The wrists and forearms also bear significant strain in water skiing, making them susceptible to various injuries, especially in falls or when holding onto the tow rope. Wrist sprains happen when the ligaments in the wrist are overstretched or torn, resulting in pain, swelling, and limited movement.
Fractures can occur in the radius and ulna in the forearm or the small bones in the wrist from a fall when the waterskier braces themselves as they hit the water at a high speed. . Once the broken bone is set by Macomb County hand doctor Uzma Rehman, and has fully healed, our certified hand physical therapist can work with you to ensure there are no long-term effects on the function or mobility of your arm or wrist.
Tendonitis can also be caused by repetitive strain from gripping the tow handle, which leads to inflammation of the tendons. Treatment for wrist sprains involves rest, ice, compression, and elevation, while fractures will require casting or surgical repair by a skilled hand doctor. Tendonitis is typically managed with rest, anti-inflammatory medications. In many cases of tendonitis of the wrist or arm, corticosteroid injections by Macomb County hand doctor Uzma Rehman can rapidly improve tendonitis, reducing pain and restoring mobility.
Water Skiing Shoulder Injuries
Shoulder injuries in water skiing often result from the strain of holding onto the tow rope, especially during sudden falls or when trying to regain balance. Rotator cuff tears commonly occur in avid water skiers, from intense and repetitive motions over time – causing shoulder pain, weakness, and limited range of motion. Treatment for rotator cuff tears ranges from rest and physical therapy to surgical repair by a board-certified hand surgeon like Dr. Uzma Rehman in Macomb County.
Conversely shoulder dislocations happen suddenly, due to the force exerted by the tow rope or during a fall, leading to extreme pain and visible misalignment. Labral tears from overuse or sudden trauma result in deep shoulder pain, particularly during overhead activities. Dislocated shoulders require careful repositioning, immobilization, and eventually physical therapy. Labral tears are treated with rest and physical therapy, with arthroscopic surgery as an option for more severe cases with persistent symptoms.
Hand & Wrist Doctor Water Skiing Injury | Macomb County
Water skiing is an exciting and challenging summer sport in Macomb County – but it does come with a risk of injury, particularly to the hands, wrists, and shoulders. At Macomb Hand Surgery, Dr. Uzma Rehman specializes in diagnosing and treating these injuries to ensure a swift and safe return to the water.
Whether you’re dealing with lacerations, fractures, dislocations, or tendonitis, board-certified hand doctor Uzma Rehman, DO and the certified physical at Macomb Hand Surgery are here to help you recover fully. If you’re experiencing any of these injuries or are suffering from pain after water skiing or other summer sports, please contact us for a comprehensive evaluation and personalized treatment plan as soon as possible.
