Wrap for Wrist Injury

[NewYorker1]

I can no longer hold a barbell with my wrist position in the position it needs to be in order to do bench presses. After X-rays I was told that I have a torn Scapholunate ligament in my left wrist. (I assume that an injury incurred when I hit a heavy bag over 20 years ago has caught up to me). Can anyone recommend a wrist wrap I can get that would keep my wrist from moving down to full extension when holding a dumbbell/barbell during the bench press?

Thanks.

NewYorker1

[NewYorker1]

I can no longer hold a barbell with my wrist position in the position it needs to be in order to do bench presses. After X-rays I was told that I have a torn Scapholunate ligament in my left wrist. (I assume that an injury incurred when I hit a heavy bag over 20 years ago has caught up to me). Can anyone recommend a wrist wrap I can get that would keep my wrist from moving down to full extension when holding a dumbbell/barbell during the bench press?

Thanks.

NewYorker1

Here I am. Four years later. And I'm still in the same situation.

I deal with depression by eating, and not being able to work out has caused a lot of stress and depression. As a result my weight had reached 385lbs(I'm 6'2"), but I've lost about 50lbs (so far) and want to revisit dealing with my wrist problem.

The original thread six years ago is in the workout Equipment section and is entitled "Working out with a Wrist Injury".

I have developed a similar problem with my right wrist, so I'm thinking that the doctor was wrong in his diagnosis of me having a torn Scapholunate ligament. Instead it may be a congenital issue that has begun manifesting itself as I got older.

Anyway, I'm back to searching for the best wrist brace/wrap for my problem. Something that would prevent my wrists from bending back during all "pushing" exercises.

Any recommendations?

Thanks.

NewYorker1

[air2fakie]

Instead of deciding your original diagnosis was wrong and that you have a congential issue, if you've had this for 6 years and now have a similar issue with your right wrist, you should re-visit a doctor to get an MRI and physical exam to re-diagnose the old and new issue - and determine how to resolve/rehab the actual injuries instead of looking for wrist wraps only. It's likely your BP form isn't proper to begin with as well.

By the way, X-rays don't show torn ligaments so I think something was lost in the translation from your doc.

[NewYorker1]

Instead of deciding your original diagnosis was wrong and that you have a congential issue, if you've had this for 6 years and now have a similar issue with your right wrist, you should re-visit a doctor to get an MRI and physical exam to re-diagnose the old and new issue - and determine how to resolve/rehab the actual injuries instead of looking for wrist wraps only. It's likely your BP form isn't proper to begin with as well.

By the way, X-rays don't show torn ligaments so I think something was lost in the translation from your doc.

It took 1/2 an hour to find my way back to this forum/post. This is a highly commercial site with no clear way to navigate back here.

Anyway,

1) I'm not one of those who can afford to visit multiple doctors in the interest of getting a second opinion. And there is only one specialist here on Staten Island.

2) It' been 30 years since I punched that heavy bag and bent my wrist inward. It was extremely painful, but got better. My problem began to manifest itself about 10 years ago. Now I cannot do any pressing exercises. (Bench presses, Shoulder Presses, Push-ups). The pain is apparent when my hand is under stress and in a bent back position. Not when it is straight or curled inward. Sometimes I get a sharp pain during a random movement. And unscrewing a jar or wringing out a rag is painful and difficult.

I'm told that I developed arthritis in that wrist and the cause was finally diagnosed as a Scapholunate Ligament Tear. The doctor told me that surgery could be done to correct the problem, but that I would lose 30% of my range of motion, which is not an option.

3) I know X-rays don't show torn ligaments. Here is an excerpt from my medical records that may explain the reason for his conclusion:

"On examination he has good range of motion to the wrist. He has pain along the area of the scapholunate interval. He has pain with scaphoid shift testing. No Watson test is possible because of the pain. On the right side he has good range of motion. No pain along the peri-scaphoid region. No pain around the scapholunate interval. Full range of motion in both hands in terms of the fingers. He is a little stiff in the wrist on the left side. He has normal vascular supply, normal sensation."

"Radiographs of his left wrist are reviewed which document widening of the scapolunate interval."

So, what I'd need is some kind of brace that would prevent my hand from being bent backwards.

Thanks.

NewYorker1

[air2fakie]

None of that diagnosis applies to your right wrist, and you seem to disagree with it regardless - but if you can't see another doctor due to cost or remote SI location, so be it.

You're really looking for a sports brace that's more like a splint (or a splint itself) with a bar inside. I suggest just googling or looking on Amz and reading reviews... anything of that type would work. Depending on how much you lift, whether you should be BPing or doing heavy presses relying on that type of brace given your issue is a diff Q for a medical professional or PT. Usually one would be looking for additional support, not total immobilization.

[NewYorker1]

Actually, that diagnosis does also apply to my right wrist. When I went to the same doctor again (two or three years later), after the tests he confirmed I was having the same problem with my right as I had with my previously diagnosed left. So I saw no need to ask him for more details.

I concluded it was probably a congenital problem because, what are the odds I have torn scapholunate ligaments in both my wrists?

Anyway, total immobilization is actually not my goal. I just need something to keep my hands from bending back too far when I do "pushing" exercises. Short of wrapping my wrist like a professional boxer I'm not sure if anyone makes anything that would keep my hands out of that extreme part of the range of motion.

It would seem as though I'd need some material with little give, like leather. And it would need to have a fool-proof closure method. Failing that I'd need something with a bar positioned across the back of my wrists.

Thanks.

NewYorker1

[SUCIO]

Try these...I have used and they have helped. Extra long wraps 80 cm keep your wrist nice and tight

https://www.elitefts.com/eliteftstm-cft-wrist-wrap.html

[sowilson]

You can try the various wraps at Rogue or EliteFts, they provide a moderate level of support. If you really want a heavy duty wrap or strap look at Spud

[NewYorker1]

Thanks guys.

I got a pair of heavy 80cm SPUD wraps, but might also pick up some EliteFts if I need to.

NewYorker1

[aspirex]

have kind of the same injury as you, also punched something hard and bent my wrist inwards. feels like i torn ligament in my hand, but mine is on the pinky side thumb side. going to see ortho few days later.. i am also unable to extend my wrist to do push ups, if i partially extend instead of fully extend my wrist i am unable to do. no issues with pull ups, just feel abit tight on the ulna area of my hand just above the wrist.
the best is just to go for a MRI and u will get your answer.

wheres your pain at? is it on the wrist? or the hand? i supposed you its on the thumb side of your palm? you shouldnt be doing bench presses or db presses with wrist extended.

[NewYorker1]

have kind of the same injury as you, also punched something hard and bent my wrist inwards. feels like i torn ligament in my hand, but mine is on the pinky side thumb side. going to see ortho few days later.. i am also unable to extend my wrist to do push ups, if i partially extend instead of fully extend my wrist i am unable to do. no issues with pull ups, just feel abit tight on the ulna area of my hand just above the wrist.
the best is just to go for a MRI and u will get your answer.

wheres your pain at? is it on the wrist? or the hand? i supposed you its on the thumb side of your palm? you shouldnt be doing bench presses or db presses with wrist extended.

My pain is deep in the back of the wrists themselves, and is consistently steady during any push like when doing push-ups or bench presses, which inevidently results in the position of my hands being back.

But it can be a sharp shooting pain without warning at random times if I just move my hands the "wrong" way. I never know when that will happen.

NewYorker1