Boxing is a great high-intensity workout activity that enhances your health, keeps you fit, decreases stress, and strengthens your body. But like any sport, boxing comes with its own set of risks of injury that you should be aware of.
Boxing Injuries of the Hand or Elbow
Below are some common hand and elbow injuries in boxing and how you can prevent them.
Carpal Bossing
Carpal bossing refers to a condition that causes a lump to develop on the back of the hand, near the wrist. Symptoms include the lump appearing, swelling, and some pain.
Boxer’s Fracture
A boxer’s fracture happens when a bone breaks just below the knuckles of the hand. Symptoms include hand swelling, pain immediately following the fracture, inability to move fingers adequately, and bruising on the hand.
Colles Fracture
This type of fracture happens when the bone breaks in the forearm near the wrist. Colles fractures happen most often when a person tries to use their arms to break a fall.
Common symptoms include pain and swelling in the forearm right after the fracture happens, and poor mobility and strength in the arm.
Distal Radius Fracture
Distal radius fractures happen when the radius bone breaks near the wrist. It’s a common injury when the arm is outstretched during a fall.
Symptoms in the wrist include deformed appearance, pain, swelling, and poor mobility.
Elbow Fracture
An elbow fracture happens when one of the bones in the elbow joint breaks. Elbow fractures can happen because of a bad fall on the elbow, a direct blow to the elbow, or extreme twisting of the elbow.
Symptoms include pain, decreased range of motion, swelling or a lump near the elbow, and numbness in the arm and hand.
How to Prevent Hand and Elbow Injuries When Boxing
It’s a good idea to brush up on “best practices” of preventing injury while boxing, which include the following:
Wear Protective Gear
Wearing protective gear can be a life-saver (literally) while boxing. By wearing protective gear, you provide an extra buffer to your body – which will help to decrease or prevent injuries.
Wrap Hands Properly
Wrapping hands before boxing provides extra support and cushioning to the hands and helps to prevent serious injuries. Be sure to take your time and thoroughly wrap both hands before you box.
Punch Correctly
Learning the right way to play is extremely important in not just winning the game, but also keeping yourself safe. Take the time to learn proper punching techniques, and practice how to punch so you don’t incur injuries.
Rest
Rest is an essential part of being a good athlete. It lets your body heal and recover from injuries so that the next time you play; you’ll always be able to perform at 100 percent.
Inadequate rest can increase the chances of incurring injuries, because you will not be performing at your best – therefore making your body vulnerable.
Hand and Elbow Surgeons in Maryland
If you have a hand or elbow injury caused by sports or for any other reason, our team at Greater Chesapeake Hand to Shoulder can help you get better as quickly as possible.
Our board-certified orthopedic surgeons and plastic surgeons are prepared to diagnose and treat your condition with the latest methods and technologies. Call us at (410) 296-6232 to make an appointment or fill out our online appointment request form. We look forward to helping you get back to what you love to do.
