Last reviewed: September 29, 2026

Usually not, if it is treated early. Wrist pain is very common in young gymnasts, and most get better with rest from weight on the hands.

Gymnasts walk, vault and tumble on their hands. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the force on the wrists is sometimes 2 to 4 times body weight. Much of it passes through the growth plate at the end of the radius, the larger forearm bone. Repeated stress can injure that growth plate. Doctors call this gymnast wrist.

In a study of 59 recreational gymnasts, average age 9, more than half had wrist pain. Among those ages 10 to 14, 83% did. Half had signs of stress at the growth plate on X-ray, and pain was more likely when those signs were worse. A review of 25 studies found wrist pain in about half of young artistic gymnasts. It was linked to ages 10 to 14, harder training and more hours each week.

Not every gymnast with changes on X-ray has pain. Treatment usually means a break from putting weight on the hands, then a gradual return. In a review of reported cases of growth plate stress injuries in young athletes, most returned to their sport after rest and rehabilitation. How long the break should be, and when a gymnast is ready to return, has not been well studied.

Lasting problems can happen. In that review of 448 reported cases across many sports, about 1 in 8 had a growth problem. It was more common when the injury went untreated, was diagnosed late, or rest was not followed. Reported cases tend to include the worse ones, so they may overstate the risk.

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests increasing training gradually, a proper warm-up and wrist braces. Whether braces or grips prevent gymnast wrist has not been well studied.

In general:

  • Wrists that are swollen or painful the next day deserve a doctor’s visit.
  • Pain medicine should not be taken before practice to hide the pain.
  • A return to gymnastics is usually planned only once the pain is completely gone.

Drafted with AI assistance from published sources, reviewed and edited by Babak Sheikh, MD.

Sources:

This is general information about what published research shows. It is not medical advice and it is not about your situation. Reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship with me. I am a retired orthopedic surgeon and I do not see patients. Talk with your own doctor before changing anything about your care. If something feels suddenly or seriously wrong, get medical care promptly rather than waiting.

This page is provided as is. I make no guarantee that it is accurate, complete or current, and medical evidence changes. Use of it is at your own risk.

Published by Clinical Evidence Media LLC. Full disclaimer and how these answers are researched: Disclaimer and how these answers are made