Upper Extremity Sports Injuries in Raleigh, NC

Whether you are a high school athlete, a weekend warrior, or a competitive adult player, hand, wrist, and elbow injuries are some of the most common — and most disruptive — sports injuries you can experience. The upper extremity is involved in almost every sport, from throwing and catching to gripping, swinging, and breaking a fall. When an injury sidelines you, getting the right specialist involved quickly makes the difference between a full recovery and a lingering problem that limits your performance long-term.

At our Raleigh hand surgery practice, Dr. Chambers provides expert evaluation and treatment of upper extremity sports injuries for athletes of all ages and levels. We offer same-day appointments with no referral required, so you can be seen quickly and get back to your sport as safely and as fast as possible.

Common Upper Extremity Sports Injuries We Treat

Hand Sports Injuries

Mallet Finger

Mallet finger occurs when a ball or object strikes the tip of an extended finger, rupturing the tendon that straightens the fingertip. The result is a drooping fingertip that cannot be straightened. It is extremely common in basketball, baseball, volleyball, and football players. Treatment with a splint is effective when started promptly — delays of more than a few weeks can require surgery. Learn more about mallet finger treatment.

Skier's Thumb (UCL Tear of the Thumb)

Skier's thumb is an injury to the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) at the base of the thumb, most commonly caused by a fall onto an outstretched hand — a classic skiing injury, but also seen in football, basketball, and contact sports. A partial tear can be treated with splinting; a complete tear typically requires surgical repair to restore stable, strong pinch and grip. Without treatment, chronic instability develops. Learn more about thumb ligament injury treatment.

Finger Sprains and Dislocations

"Jammed fingers" are one of the most common sports injuries — and one of the most commonly undertreated. What feels like a simple jam can involve a significant ligament tear, fracture, or tendon injury that causes long-term stiffness or instability if not properly evaluated. Athletes in basketball, volleyball, and football are particularly prone to finger sprains and dislocations. Learn more about finger sprain treatment.

Hand Fractures

Fractures of the metacarpals (the bones of the palm) and phalanges (finger bones) are common in contact sports, martial arts, and ball sports. A fracture that heals in a poorly aligned position can affect grip strength, finger movement, and return to sport. Early evaluation ensures the bone is properly positioned and stabilized, whether with splinting or surgery. Learn more about hand fracture treatment.

Tendon Injuries

Flexor and extensor tendon injuries can occur from lacerations, direct impact, or forceful loading during sport. A tendon injury that is not recognized and treated early can retract and become significantly more complex to repair. Any sudden inability to bend or straighten a finger after a sports injury warrants prompt specialist evaluation. Learn more about tendon injury treatment.

Wrist Sports Injuries

Scaphoid Fracture

The scaphoid is the most commonly fractured carpal bone and the most frequently missed fracture in athletes. It typically occurs from a fall onto an outstretched hand and often presents as mild wrist pain that seems like a "sprain." However, an undiagnosed scaphoid fracture can progress to nonunion or avascular necrosis — causing permanent wrist problems. Any athlete with pain at the base of the thumb after a fall should be evaluated even if initial X-rays appear normal; MRI may be needed to confirm the diagnosis. Learn more about scaphoid fracture treatment.

Wrist Sprains and TFCC Injuries

The triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) is a key stabilizing structure on the ulnar (little finger) side of the wrist. TFCC tears are common in gymnasts, tennis players, golfers, and athletes who rotate the forearm under load. Symptoms include pain on the ulnar side of the wrist with rotation and gripping. Depending on severity, treatment ranges from splinting and therapy to arthroscopic surgery. Learn more about wrist sprain and TFCC injury treatment.

Gymnast's Wrist (Distal Radial Physeal Stress Injury)

Gymnast's wrist is a chronic stress injury to the growth plate at the end of the radius, caused by repetitive weight-bearing through the wrist during gymnastics. It is seen most commonly in young gymnasts and presents as wrist pain during activities such as handstands and tumbling. Early recognition and activity modification are essential to prevent long-term growth disturbance. Learn more about gymnast's wrist treatment.

Wrist Fractures

Distal radius fractures — breaks at the end of the forearm bone — are among the most common sports fractures, typically resulting from a fall. Fractures that are displaced or unstable may require surgical fixation to restore proper alignment and allow early return to sport. Learn more about wrist fracture treatment.

De Quervain's Tenosynovitis

De Quervain's tenosynovitis is inflammation of the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist, often caused by repetitive gripping and wrist deviation — common in racquet sports, rowing, and weightlifting. Symptoms include pain and swelling at the base of the thumb, particularly with pinching and gripping motions. Learn more about De Quervain's treatment.

Elbow Sports Injuries

Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)

Despite its name, tennis elbow affects far more non-tennis players than tennis players. It is caused by overuse of the forearm extensor tendons and is common in racquet sports, golfers, weightlifters, and overhead workers. Pain on the outer side of the elbow with gripping is the hallmark symptom. Treatment options include physical therapy, cortisone injections, PRP injection, and in refractory cases, surgery. Learn more about tennis elbow treatment.

Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)

Golfer's elbow causes pain on the inner side of the elbow and is common in golfers, baseball pitchers, and throwing athletes. It involves inflammation and degeneration of the forearm flexor tendons where they attach to the medial epicondyle. Treatment is similar to tennis elbow and most cases resolve with non-surgical care. Learn more about golfer's elbow treatment.

Elbow UCL Tear (Tommy John Injury)

The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the elbow is the primary stabilizer for throwing athletes. UCL injuries — commonly known as Tommy John injuries — are seen in baseball pitchers, quarterbacks, javelin throwers, and other overhead athletes. Partial tears may be managed non-surgically with rehabilitation; complete tears in competitive throwers typically require UCL reconstruction (Tommy John surgery) to restore the ability to throw at full velocity. Learn more about elbow UCL tear treatment.

Little League Elbow

Little League elbow is a stress injury to the growth plate on the inner side of the elbow, caused by the repetitive throwing motion in young pitchers. It is one of the most important sports injuries to recognize early, as continued throwing through pain can cause significant growth plate damage. Rest and activity modification are the cornerstone of treatment; surgical intervention is occasionally required for displaced fragments. Learn more about Little League elbow treatment.

Elbow Dislocation

Elbow dislocations most commonly occur from a fall onto an outstretched arm and are seen in contact sports, gymnastics, and cycling. They require prompt reduction (repositioning) and evaluation for associated fractures and ligament injuries. Complex elbow dislocations may require surgical stabilization to restore full function. Learn more about elbow dislocation treatment.

Radial Head Fracture

Fractures of the radial head are common elbow injuries from falls and contact sports. They range from non-displaced fractures treated with early mobilization to severely comminuted fractures requiring surgical fixation or radial head replacement. Learn more about radial head fracture treatment.

Distal Biceps Tendon Rupture

A distal biceps tendon rupture occurs when the biceps tendon tears away from its attachment at the elbow — often felt as a sudden "pop" with a heavy lift or forceful curl. It is most common in middle-aged male athletes and weightlifters. Surgical repair is recommended for most active patients to restore full elbow flexion strength and forearm rotation. Learn more about distal biceps tendon injury treatment.

Our Approach: Early Return to Sport

Our goal for every athlete is the same: accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and the fastest safe return to full participation. We understand that time away from sport has real consequences — for competitive athletes, for scholarship prospects, and for quality of life. Our approach prioritizes:

  • Same-day evaluation — no waiting weeks for an appointment when an injury has just occurred
  • Accurate diagnosis — including X-ray, and referral for MRI or CT when needed to identify injuries that plain X-rays can miss (such as scaphoid fractures and TFCC tears)
  • Non-surgical options first — when appropriate, splinting, injections, and therapy allow return to sport without an operation
  • Wide awake surgery when needed — our WALANT (wide awake local anesthesia no tourniquet) technique means faster recovery, no general anesthesia, and earlier return to rehabilitation and sport
  • Clear return-to-play guidance — we work with athletes, parents, coaches, and athletic trainers to provide specific, sport-appropriate return-to-play timelines

Who We Treat

We treat athletes of all ages and ability levels, including:

  • High school and college athletes
  • Youth and club sport players (baseball, basketball, soccer, gymnastics, swimming)
  • Competitive adult recreational athletes
  • Weekend warriors recovering from a specific injury
  • Overhead throwing athletes (pitchers, quarterbacks, javelin)
  • Racquet sport players (tennis, pickleball, squash, badminton)
  • Golfers
  • Climbers and gymnasts
  • Weightlifters and CrossFit athletes
  • Cyclists, skiers, and snowboarders

When Should an Athlete See a Hand Surgeon?

You should seek evaluation promptly if you experience any of the following after a sports injury:

  • A finger that will not straighten or bend normally
  • Significant swelling, bruising, or deformity in the hand, wrist, or elbow
  • Pain at the base of the thumb or on the ulnar (little finger) side of the wrist after a fall
  • A pop, snap, or tearing sensation in the elbow during throwing or lifting
  • Instability — a feeling that the joint is giving way
  • Inability to grip, pinch, or bear weight through the wrist or hand normally
  • Numbness or tingling in the hand or fingers after an elbow or wrist injury
  • Pain that is not improving after 1–2 weeks of rest and ice

Do not assume that a painful hand, wrist, or elbow after a sports injury is "just a sprain." Many significant injuries feel deceptively mild in the first 24–48 hours. Early specialist evaluation almost always leads to a better outcome than delayed diagnosis.

Same-Day Sports Injury Appointments in Raleigh, Cary, Holly Springs & Wake Forest

We offer same-day appointments for upper extremity sports injuries with no referral required. Our practice serves athletes and active patients throughout Wake County, including Raleigh, Cary, Holly Springs, and Wake Forest, NC.

Call (919) 781-5600 or book online to be seen today. The sooner an injury is properly evaluated, the sooner you can get back to doing what you love.

Raleigh Hand Surgeon | Hand, Wrist, Elbow Injury Treatment - Stephen Chambers MD