The Enduro Motorcyclist's Wrist and Other Overuse Injuries in Competitive Enduro Motorcyclists: a Prospective Study

According to public opinion, Enduro motorcycling is a dangerous sport. Little is known about overuse injuries in connection with this sport. The study consisted of two phases. Phase 1 was planned as a prospective feasibility study for phase 2. The latter was initiated as a prospective investigation, comprising a random sample of the participants of phase 1. Enduro motorcyclists were interviewed with a prepared questionnaire. Clinical examinations were performed immediately before, and after, a major Enduro race, including pain assessment in the hand/wrist and the forearm using the visual analog scale. The occurrence of Raynaud's syndrome carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and loss of grip strength in the forearm muscles were recorded in detail. Phase 1 showed that the predominant overused anatomical regions were the hand/wrist and forearms. Nearly 50% of all the riders complained of pain or paresthetic sensations. A significant increase in pain was registered after the race. After the second run 32.28% of all riders had CTS in the left hand and 43.31% in the right hand. More than one-half of the athletes complained of overuse injuries. Transient CTS is an overuse injury closely related to sports.