GYMNASTS WRIST : WHAT EVERY PARENT, COACH AND YOUNG ATHLETE SHOULD KNOW

Have you ever wondered what happens to a gymnast's body after all those gravity-defying flips and handstands?

While the focus is often on their strength and flexibility, there’s one part of the body that takes the most stress—the wrists. Repetitive impact and weight-bearing moves can lead to an overuse injury called a gymnast's wrist, often unnoticed by young athletes. This can affect performance, and if ignored, lead to long-term damage. Let’s explore what gymnast’s wrist is, how it develops, the signs to look out for, how it’s diagnosed, and simple ways to prevent it.

What Is Gymnast’s Wrist?

Gymnast’s Wrist is a stress injury of the distal radial growth plate—the area near the end of the forearm bone that’s still developing in children. It’s most common in athletes aged 10–14, when growth plates are most vulnerable. The injury develops from repetitive weight-bearing on an extended wrist during skills like handstands, vaults, and bar routines. This leads to inflammation and irritation in the growth plate, causing pain and affecting performance.

Why Does It Happen?

Gymnast’s wrist is a result of the intense pressure placed on young athletes’ wrists during gymnastics—whether they’re flipping through the air in handstands, vaulting, or mastering bar routines. Each time their hands hit the ground or equipment, the force travels directly into the wrist’s growth plate. When this happens repeatedly, without enough rest or proper technique, it leads to inflammation and discomfort. The tricky part? Many athletes power through the pain, thinking it’s just part of the game, which only makes things worse and increases the risk of long-term injury. That’s why spotting the signs early and addressing them is crucial for keeping young gymnasts healthy and performing their best.

Spotting the Signs: Symptoms and Diagnosis

Gymnast’s wrist often starts as a mild ache which is easy to ignore. However, over time, it can become more persistent and interfere with training. Recognizing the early signs can make all the difference.

Common symptoms include:

· Aching pain on the thumb side of the wrist

· Discomfort during weight-bearing moves like handstands or vaults

· Swelling or tenderness around the wrist joint

· Stiffness or trouble bending the wrist backward (extension)

· Reduced grip strength or a weak feeling in the wrist

These symptoms often build up over time, and many young gymnasts continue training despite the discomfort—but ignoring the pain can make the injury worse in the long run.

How is it diagnosed?

Diagnosis typically starts with a physical exam, in which a doctor or physiotherapist checks for tenderness and limited movement. An X-ray may be used to spot changes in the growth plate, like widening or irregularities. In some cases, an MRI might be needed to catch early damage that doesn’t show up on an X-ray.Catching the injury early is key to avoiding complications like long-term wrist stiffness or growth plate damage. If your gymnast is showing any of these signs, it’s best to get it checked out sooner rather than later.

 Treatment and Prevention

The good news? With early care, gymnast’s wrist usually heals well. The first step is simple but crucial: rest. Taking a break from painful activities gives the wrist time to recover. Along with rest, ice, anti-inflammatory support, and bracing or taping can help reduce discomfort.

Once the pain settles, physiotherapy plays a key role in recovery. A physio will guide the gymnast through wrist and forearm strengthening, gentle stretching, and help correct technique to prevent future stress. A gradual return to sport is important; rushing back too soon can lead to re-injury.

And when it comes to injuries, prevention is always better than cure. Coaches and parents should:

· Encourage proper warm-ups and technique

· Make sure training volume suits the athlete’s age and ability

· Include regular strength and flexibility work

· Take wrist pain seriously—don’t push through it

· Allow enough rest and recovery days

In a Nutshell

Gymnast’s wrist is common—but it doesn’t have to be serious. With early care, rest, and the right physiotherapy, young athletes can recover fully and keep training pain-free.If your child has wrist pain during gymnastics, don’t ignore it. A timely physiotherapy check can make all the difference in preventing long-term problems and supporting a safe return to sport.

References

1. Brukner P, Khan K. Clinical Sports Medicine. 5th ed. Chapter on Wrist Injuries in Young Athletes. Sydney: McGraw-Hill Education; 2017.

2. Heyworth BE, Sullivan N, Hart E, Bauer A, Bae D. Gymnast’s Wrist: A Retrospective Analysis of Descriptive Epidemiology, Clinical & Radiologic Features, Treatment & Outcomes. Orthopedic Journal of Sport Medicine. 2020;8(3).

3. Guerra MRV, Estelles JRD, Abdouni YA, Falcochio DF, Rosa JRP, Catani LH. Frequency of Wrist Growth Plate Injury in Young Gymnasts at a Training Center. Brazilian Journal of Orthopaedics. 2022;57(4):538-544.

4. DiFiori JP, Benjamin HJ, Brenner JS, Gregory A, Jayanthi N, Landry GL, et al. Overuse Injuries and Burnout in Youth Sports: A Position Statement from the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine. 2014;24(1):3-20.