Bicycling is a great way to stay active and enjoy the outdoors. Whether you’re a recreational rider or a daily commuter, it’s important to protect your hands and wrists. Dr. Sanj Kakar, a Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgeon, shares practical tips to prevent injuries while biking.
Whether you’re a pro or biking for fun, there are common injuries all cyclists might experience.
“The first one is a traumatic injury if somebody falls off a bike,” says Dr. Kakar.
Common breaks from traumatic injury include wrist fractures.
“We also see overuse-type injuries. So, for example, we see patients where they’re pressing on the brakes for too long, squeezing hard, putting pressure on their palm, and their hands sometimes fall asleep — called numbness and tingling,” Dr. Kakar says.
He says it could be carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition you don’t want to ignore.
Prevent bike injuries
“There are simple preventive measures you can take,” says Dr. Kakar. “Having thicker grips so you’re not squeezing as hard can also help. Bike gloves help as well and sometimes puts your wrist in a better position than putting pressure on your palm.”
