injuries among the high school students engaging at basketball
games in Canada, which serves as a good example of how
prevention strategy could prevent the injuries. Occupational
therapists and other allied health professionals are often involved
in prevention of further injuries when the injuries have occurred.
A more comprehensive and well-planned approach should be
emphasized by practicing therapists to incorporate prevention
with management. Other professionals such as school teachers,
coaches, sports association executives and medical professionals
should work together to promote the awareness of sports related
injuries and to work on prevention of these injuries. Youngsters
engaging in sports such as basketball and soccer should also
be very careful about the risks of injuries over the hand.
Conclusion
Studies on patterns and management of sports related hand
injuries could help broaden the knowledge and skills in the
treatment and preventive measures for occupational therapists.
However, due to the retrospective nature of the study, most
information related to the mechanism of injury was missing.
The outcome measurement parameters, such as the functional
performance of the hand, patients’ self-report on their satisfaction,
their engagement in the sports activities and so forth
were not comprehensive with missing information. In order
to enhance the quality of the management among this group
of injuries, the development of a sports injury surveillance
system, together with the establishment of a comprehensive
and systematic approach in the hospital and community,
should be the future strategy in order. To conclude, the findings
from this preliminary study suggested that the acute management
of sports related hand injuries through occupational
therapy appeared to appropriate. For continuation of service
for sports injuries, it relies on the continued and close collaboration
between physicians at the Department of AE and the
therapists.