WRISTY BUSINESS

It’s good to know about wrist and hand injuries because they’re quite common amongst cyclists.  Knowing what’s wrong with your wrist can save you undue suffering and expense.  Injuries can be broken down into two major categories……

Overuse injuries : include things like nerve compression problems and tendon conditions such as De Quervains Tenosynovitis.  We’ll cover these here.

Traumatic injuries :  can be severe, especially at speeds reached on downhills.

Do you suffer numbness in the pinky and ring fingers ?  You may have Cyclists’ Palsy

-          Caused by compression of the ulna nerve from the grip on the handlebars

-          You experience sensory changes (numbness, tingling and weakness)  particularly in the fourth and fifth fingers.

-          The nerve may be stretched or hyperextended when a drop-down handlebar is held in the lower position.

-          Seen in both competitive and recreational cycle enthusiast.

Do you suffer from numbness in the first four fingers ?   You may have CTS

-          The other nerve that can be injured in the hand/wrist is the median nerve, involved in Carpel Tunnel Syndrome and typically involves the thumb and second and third fingers.

Next ride tips

1.      Take the pressure off the affected side of your hand.  Adjust your handlebar position.  Use thicker bar tape / handles or thicker padded gloves, which absorb the shocks.

2.      Sit in a more upright position, taking the weight and pressure off your hands and wrists.  Raise your handlebar stem if necessary.

3.      Take a rest during long rides and change hand position on the handlebars often. Shift weight from the centre of the palms to the outside edge of the palms as often as possible.

4.      Set MTB forks to as soft a setting as possible to absorb the bumps.

Remember, if symptoms persists, you must see a doctor.  Also, any wrist or hand injury from a  wipeout should be examined by a doctor.