Dr. Bobby Chhabra, a specialist in orthopedics, works as a team physician with the University of Virginia Department of Athletics. There, Dr. Bobby Chhabra sees a range of upper-body sports-related injuries, including ligament injuries of the wrist.

Many athletes hurt their wrists while participating in sports. In some cases, the wrist might feel better after a little time and rest. As a result, the athlete may assume the problem was a sprain and the issue has been resolved. However, there is a possibility that ligament damage has occurred. Ligament damage can lead to continued problems over time and often goes unaddressed until the discomfort becomes severe. 

Ligaments connect bones and serve an important role in movement. The wrist has many small bones that work in concert for proper hand and wrist functioning. 

Ligament damage causes the joints in the wrist to become less stable. As a result of this imbalance, a wearing down of the articular cartilage, or the cartilage present where bones connect, may occur. 

If left unaddressed, the problem may progress to the point of pain and eventually arthritis. Therefore, if an athlete experiences wrist pain or pain in another joint of the body, the individual should see an expert in sports medicine for diagnosis and treatment.