The pattern of hand injuries in amateur cricket

Background: Cricket is a sport in which hand injuries occur commonly, and yet the only players allowed to wear protective gloves are the batsman and wicketkeeper. This study aims to analyse the pattern of hand injuries occurring at the amateur level of the game. Methods: A prospective analysis was performed of all cricket hand injuries presenting to a specialist plastic surgery unit over the course of 3 months. Data was collected on the types, mechanisms and sites of injury, as well as their distribution amongst different playing positions. Results: There were a total of 28 injuries, the majority of which were sustained whilst fielding (n=22), with only five injuries occurring in batsmen or wicketkeepers. Twenty-three injuries were sustained by way of a direct blow or axial load to the fingers, with the ulnar digits and thumb most commonly affected. There were 20 fractures and eight dislocations, and 25 were associated with soft tissue injury. The distal phalanx was the most frequently injured site (n=11), followed by the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint. Most of the injuries were suitable for conservative management with only three patients requiring bony fixation. Only 15 of the 27 players stopped playing at the time of their injury, with significant delay to presentation to our unit in ten cases. Conclusions: Our survey highlights that hand injuries are common amongst amateur cricket players, and that a lack of protective gloves, improper catching technique and delay in seeking treatment may be important factors. Level of Evidence: Level IV, diagnostic study.