Summary
Rock climbing has become increasingly popular in the past decade. However, the increased participation exposes a greater number of climbers to potential injury. The risks involved with climbing increase in proportion to the skill-level of the climber: the higher the skill-level, the more hours are required for training and on more difficult routes.
The hands are used as tools for the ascent, with much of the climber’s weight placed upon the fingers and also distributed through the wrist, elbow and shoulders. The combination of repetitive climbing and the excessive weight-bearing demands of the sport result in cumulative trauma to the upper limbs.
Prevention should begin with educating climbers on the potential risk for injury. Although adequate rest between climbs and decreased training when pain is first encountered would aid in alleviating numerous problems, additional research directed towards improving training, treatment and rehabilitation programmes is warranted.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Addiss DG, Baker SP. Mountaineering and rock-climbing injuries in US national parks. Ann Emerg Med 1989; 18: 975–9
Long J. Rock climb. Evergreen, Colorado: Chockstone Press, 1993
Jones D. Injuries survey report. Rock Ice 1990; 36: 52–4
Shea KG, Shea BA, Meals RA. Manual demands and consequences of rock climbing. J Hand Surg 1992; 17A(2): 200–5
Bowie WS, Hunt TK, Allen Jr HA. Rock climbing injuries in Yosemite National Park. West Med 1988; 149: 172–7
Smoot J. Is rock climbing really dangerous? Rock Ice 1993; 58: 52–8
Cole A. Fingertip injuries in rock climbers. Br J Sports Med 1990; 24: 14
Bollen SR. Soft tissue injury in extreme rock climbers. Br J Sports Med 1988; 22: 145–8
Bollen SR, Gunson CK. Hand injuries in competition climbers. Br J Sports Med 1990; 24: 16–8
Bollen SR. Upper limb injuries in élite rock climbers. J Coll Surg Edinburgh 1990; 35 Suppl.: S18–20
Lewis RA, Shea OF, Shea KG. Acute carpel tunnel syndrome. Physician Sportsmed 1993; 21(7): 103–8
Maitland M. Injuries associated with rock climbing. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1992; 16(2): 68–73
Largiader U, Oelz O. An analysis of overstrain injuries in rock climbing. Schweiz Z Sportmed 1993; 413(3): 107–114
Bollen SR. Injury to the A2 pulley in rock climbers. J Hand Surg [Br] 1990; 15: 268–70
Hochholzer T, Heuck A, Krause R, et al. Injuries and overuse disorders in sports climber: 2 case reports. Ther Umsch 1993; 50(4): 263–7
Heuck A, Hochholzer T, Keinath C. MRI of the hand and wrist of sport climbers. Imaging of injuries and consequences of stress overload. Radiologe 1992; 32(5): 248–54
Bannister P, Foster P. Upper limb injuries associated with rock climbing. Br J Sports Med 1986; 20: 55
Hess GP, Cappiello WL, Poole RM, Hunter SC. Prevention and treatment of overuse tendon injuries. Sports Med 1989; 8(6): 371–84
Prichard N. The performance guide for climbers. Evergreen, (CO): Chockstone Press, 1994
Robinson M. Get a grip on injury prevention and treatment. Climbing 1988; 108–13
Renstrom P, Johnson RJ. Overuse injuries in sports. Sports Med 1985; 2: 316–33
Osius A. Wrap it up. Women’s sports and fitness 1992 July/Aug; (14): 106
Gould JA III, editor. Orthopaedic and sports physical therapy. St Louis, Missouri, The C.V. Mosby Company, 1990
Della-Santa DR, Kunz A. Stress syndrome of the fingers related to rock climbing. Schweiz Z Sportmed 1990; 38(1): 5–9
Reid DC. Sports injury assessment and rehabilitation. New York: Churchill Livingstone, 1992
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Haas, J.C., Meyers, M.C. Rock Climbing Injuries. Sports Med 20, 199–205 (1995). https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-199520030-00006
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-199520030-00006