The wide spectrum of athletic activities places various demands on the
wrists, which can result in injuries of the soft tissues of the wrist
. Increased awareness of injuries particular to a sport and technologi
c and clinical advances have helped examiners to approach these injuri
es with a treatment plan that allows the athlete to return to competit
ion quickly. Many of these injuries and their pathomechanics, diagnosi
s, and treatment are discussed in this article. The material presented
on dorsal pain disorders, carpal instability, and the triangular fibr
ocartilage complex serves as a starting point for increasing understan
ding of wrist injuries in the athlete.