MRI Diagnosis of Gymnast’s Wrist (Distal Radial Physeal Stress Injury)
Abstract
Gymnast’s wrist is an uncommon stress‑related injury of the distal radial physis caused by repetitive axial loading in skeletally immature athletes. We report the case of a 16‑year‑old elite gymnast presenting with progressive wrist pain without acute trauma. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated focal widening of the volar distal radial physis with adjacent metaphyseal and epiphyseal bone marrow edema, consistent with a stress‑related physeal injury. Conservative management with activity modification and physical therapy resulted in symptom resolution. Teaching point: In young athletes with wrist pain, stress‑related physeal injury should be considered, and MRI allows early diagnosis and appropriate management.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Sports injuries and prevention
Lower Extremity Biomechanics and Pathologies
Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of the Belgian Society of Radiology
- Volume
- 110
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 27–27
- Publication date
- 1 January 2026
- Language
- EN