# Injury Patterns and Conservative Management in Elite Handball: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Diagnosis and Rehabilitation

## TL;DR

This paper shows how MRI helps diagnose and treat injuries in elite handball players, leading to faster recovery through personalized care.

## Contribution

The study highlights MRI's role in accurately diagnosing complex handball injuries and the success of individualized conservative treatments.

## Key findings

- MRI correctly diagnosed a type III navicular fracture in a goalkeeper previously misdiagnosed with radiography.
- Conservative treatment successfully managed knee hematoma, vastus lateralis tear, and adductor muscle tears in handball players.
- Individualized protocols including physiotherapy and NSAIDs led to symptom relief and recovery in all four cases.

## Abstract

Background: Musculoskeletal injuries are frequent in handball players due to the high-impact nature of the sport. Accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment are essential for recovery. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become the gold standard for evaluating complex sports-related injuries. This case report aims to assess the role of MRI in diagnosing trauma in professional handball players and the effectiveness of individualized treatment approaches. Methods: Four male members of the “Politehnica” Timișoara first team who sustained match- or training-related injuries between January 2023 and December 2024 underwent an 1.5 T MRI. Individualized conservative protocols included rest, NSAIDs, physiotherapy, and graded kinesitherapy. Results: The first case involved a right back with a knee hematoma and a vastus lateralis tear. Conservative treatment led to recovery. The second case was a left back with peripheral neuropathy caused by hamstring avulsion at the ischial tuberosity. Conservative therapy alleviated symptoms. The third case involved a left winger with adductor muscle tears, which recovered with conservative management. The fourth case, a goalkeeper, had a type III navicular fracture misdiagnosed on radiography, correctly identified via MRI and treated conservatively. Conclusions: MRI is invaluable in diagnosing handball-related injuries, enabling accurate assessments and effective individualized treatment, resulting in early recovery.