Nederlands | English | Deutsch | Türkçe

Project Sports

Questions and answers about sports

Will I be able to return to football after a wrist fracture?

4 min read

Asked by: Aldo Zitle

In general, excision of the fracture fragment yields good results. The wrist is immobilized for 10 to 14 days to allow wound healing. Return to sport after surgery usually is permitted at 6 to 8 weeks postoperatively.

How long after a broken wrist can I play football?

Patients may experience moderate pain for a few weeks after their injury and treatment. Athletes may initially return to low impact sports, such as swimming or bicycling, after a month or two. You can expect to resume play after three to six months.

How long after broken wrist can I play sports?

For athletes that require a functional wrist for their sport, we consider return to play only after healing of the fracture. This is expected as early as 4 weeks in the pediatric athlete and likely after 6 weeks in the adult.

Can you fully recover from a broken wrist?

Most people make a full recovery from a broken wrist. It might take several months, but your wrist should completely heal. If healing is slow, physical therapy and occupational therapy can help you regain mobility and strength in your wrist.

Can you play soccer with a fractured wrist?

The most common fracture is the green stick or buckle fracture at the end of the radius bone near the wrist. This injury is treated with a short arm cast for about a month. Usually a player can resume training in the cast after about a week, but the cast needs to be padded for soccer matches.

Can a fractured wrist heal in 4 weeks?

Hand and wrist fractures often heal in 4-6 weeks whereas a tibia fracture may take 20 weeks or more. Healing time for fractures are divided into three phases: 1.

Can you play football with a wrist cast?

The guidelines state that any casts, splints, and braces must be padded with at least ½” of all closed-cell, slow-recovery rubber, or another material of the same minimum thickness and similar physical properties. If these guidelines are not properly met, the chances of being cleared to play during a game is unlikely.

Can you play football with a soft cast?

Players wearing a soft cast or a ‘soft protection guard’ will be permitted to play if the cast does not present a danger to the individual or any other player. This is usually made of soft, lightweight padded material.

Can u play football with a splint?

Football players can return to sport if they are able to play their position while wearing a splint. Buddy taping is also performed to further protect the injured digit. Players requiring the use of their digit for their position are unable to return to play for a minimum of 6 weeks until the tendon has healed.

Should you play sports with a cast?

Medical Approval



If an injury and cast still allow an athlete to function properly and participate in a sport, before doing so, they first need to get approval from a medical professional. A doctor will be able to better examine your injury and determine whether or not it is a good idea to participate in the sport.

Can you play basketball with a cast on your wrist?

Players are not allowed to wear anything that may be dangerous to other players. Any casts or braces made of fiberglass, plaster, metal, or any other nonpliable substances are not allowed.

Can you play basketball with a fractured wrist?

Most physicians will determine readiness to return to play based on the return of full strength, pain-free full range of motion and the ability to protect the wrist during activity. This takes varying amounts of time, but is usually about 6-8 weeks.

Can I play football after a fracture?

Following surgical fixation of a metacarpal fracture, in-season high school and college athletes were able to return to play in less than a week, and college football players in less than 3 days. All athletes returned to their preinjury level play or higher without any instance of re-injury.

Can you play football after a broken arm?

Expect 12 weeks for the broken or fractured arm to heal fully. Even with physical therapy, it can take up to two years for full strength to be restored. During this time, you may be asked to limit or take precautions with work, driving, sports and other activities that involve pushing or pulling.

Can you play sports after getting a cast off?

The child should avoid jumping, climbing, running or activities with a high risk of falling for a period of time after the cast is removed. This also includes sports. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on the amount of time that these activities should be avoided.

Should you play sports with a cast?

Medical Approval



If an injury and cast still allow an athlete to function properly and participate in a sport, before doing so, they first need to get approval from a medical professional. A doctor will be able to better examine your injury and determine whether or not it is a good idea to participate in the sport.