Q & A FROM THE PRO'S

QUESTION: I tore the main cartilage in my wrist some time ago. The doctor says the cartilage right above the bone that sticks out in the wrist will never fully heal. Since then, my wrist appears to be weaker and I am spinning the ball. I can not stop my wrist from "breaking." Is there any kind of grip, release, wrist guard, magic — anything — you recommend? I have already messed around with lighter balls, but when I went lighter, I just seemed to overpower it and could not control it and my wrist was still "breaking." Surprisingly, I am only slightly down off my old average, but in trying to compensate for the weaker wrist, I keep tearing up my thumb webbing from spinning the ball off thumb. I recently have gone to keeping my thumb out a little bit (it helped the thumb), but now my middle finger is always swollen and sore. Help. Shane Dooley, Albertville, MN

SALVINO ANSWERS: Sounds like you had quite an experience – thankfully, it was not more serious.

You did not mention what type of doctor your visited. If it was not a doctor trained in sports medicine, then I suggest you do so. Also, getting a second opinion may be wise.

On your grip, when you took your thumb out slightly, you shortened your span. This puts pressure on your middle finger, which caused the swelling. Go back to using your span as drilled, then consider using a bowling glove.

There are many types of gloves you can use. I suggest you use one with a support bar on the back side with a small bar on the inside. The back bar will stop the wrist from breaking, and the inside bar will stop you from cocking. Visit your local pro shop, look over the different gloves available and pick one which may best meet your needs.

Once you get the correct glove, you may have to shorten your span to compensate for the additional space the glove takes. Your pro shop operator will know what to do.

Again, however, see a sports medicine doctor first, then work from there.