PATTERN OF WRIST AND HAND INJURIES AMONGST CRICKET PLAYERS IN PESHAWAR; A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY

Abstract

Introduction: Cricket is the most commonly played game in Pakistan. Among all the sports hand and wrist injuries are higher in cricket players. Little is known about its prevalence. This study was conducted in order to determine the prevalence of hand and wrist injuries in cricketers at Islamia Cricket Academy (ICA) Peshawar.

Material & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Islamia Cricket Academy (ICA) Peshawar. A total of 200 players, who were willing to participate in the study and were members of the Islamia cricket academy were recruited in the study. After taking consent a self-modified questionnaire was handed over to 200 cricket players, selected through convenience sampling. Data were analyzed through SPSS version 20.

Results: A total of 108 (54%) players reported hand injuries, out of these 96 (48%) players reported soft tissue injuries, 8(4%) reported fracture, while 4 (2%) players reported dislocation. In the hand injuries 69 (34.5%) players had got injuries on their right hand, while 39(19.5%) players had got injuries on their left hand. Twenty-three players (11.5%) reported wrist injuries, in which 18 (9%) players reported soft tissue injuries, 4 players (2%) had dislocation, while 1 player (0.5%) had got fracture. In the wrist injuries 17 players (8.5%) got wrist injuries on their right hand, while 6 players (3%) had got wrist injuries on their left hand. 

Conclusion: The prevalence of hand injuries were more than the wrist injuries and were more common on right side. Most injuries occurred to players during fielding. The ring and little finger were mostly injured in hand. Strategies focused on the little and ring fingers during fielding activities could be used to decrease the load of injuries.