Hand Injuries in Rock Climbers
Orbach, H.; Rubin, G.; Wolovelsky, A.; Rinott, M.; Giwnewer, U.; Rozen, N.
Harefuah 155(7): 407-409
2016
ISSN/ISBN: 0017-7768 PMID: 28514129 Document Number: 685964
Rock climbing, whether practiced in nature on cliffs and boulders or indoors on walls made of resin and wood, has gained tremendous popularity in recent decades. More people are exposed to injuries associated with the unique biomechanical forces of rock climbing. A series of repetitive high torque movements of the upper limbs are needed to ascend a wall or rockface. These movements subject the hand and wrist to large forces, potentially resulting in ligament and tendon sprains or rupture and even bone fracture. This review describes the anatomy, biomechanics and the common hand injuries in rock climbers.