Injury

Understanding and Managing Wrist Injuries in Climbers: A Comprehensive Analysis

Climbing is a physically demanding sport that places unique stress on the wrists, making wrist injuries among the most common complaints among climbers. While the importance of wrist health in climbing cannot be overstated, comprehensive studies specifically targeting wrist injuries in climbers have been limited. In this article, we delve into a study that evaluated the distribution, outcomes, and influencing factors of wrist injuries in climbers, shedding light on this critical aspect of climbing-related injuries.

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Photo by Ian Noble / Unsplash

The Study Overview

The study in question focused on climbers with wrist injuries who sought treatment at a specialized sports medical center over four years, from 2017 to 2020. The participants provided detailed information about their climbing backgrounds, including years of training, climbing levels, and training methods. These insights were crucial in understanding the context of their injuries.

Key Findings

  1. Incidence and Types of Wrist Injuries: A total of 69 patients, comprising 44 males and 25 females, presented with a total of 78 wrist injuries. Notably, seven injuries were bilateral, and two were independent reinjuries. Among these injuries, 30.8% were acute, while 69.2% were chronic. Most injuries were classified with a UIAA grade of 2, indicating their severity.

  2. Common Wrist Injuries in Climbers: The study identified several common wrist injuries in climbers. These included synovitis of the ulnocarpal recess, ulnar impaction, bone marrow edema of the lunate, wrist sprains (characterized by joint capsular pain with stress but no pathological findings on magnetic resonance imaging), and wrist ganglion cysts. Understanding the specific types of injuries climbers face is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.

  3. Treatment Approaches: The study revealed that 61 of the injuries were treated nonoperatively, while 17 required surgical intervention. Importantly, the outcomes for both treatment methods were favorable. A significant majority (65.4%) of injuries healed without consequences, showcasing the effectiveness of treatment modalities.

  4. Patient Outcomes: The study assessed various parameters to gauge patient outcomes. These included pain levels, functional scores, and the ability to return to climbing. Notably, the visual analog scale pain score decreased significantly from 4.8 ± 1.9 before treatment to 0.7 ± 1.0 after treatment. Similarly, the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) score, QuickDASH score, and DASH-Sport score all demonstrated substantial improvements post-treatment. Climbing scores also improved significantly.

  5. Correlations: The study identified several correlations between patient-reported data and outcomes. The number of days with pain was negatively correlated with improvements in the PRWE score, QuickDASH score, and climbing score, highlighting the importance of pain management in recovery. Additionally, the number of days without climbing was positively correlated with changes in the PRWE score, emphasizing the significance of returning to climbing for overall wrist health.

In summary, this study provides valuable insights into wrist injuries among climbers. These injuries encompass a diverse range of diagnoses, with ulnar-sided injuries being the most prevalent. The favorable outcomes of both surgical and nonoperative treatments underscore the importance of timely and expert care. However, it is crucial to note that approximately one-third of climbers experienced persistent wrist discomfort after treatment, emphasizing the need for accurate diagnoses and comprehensive care.

Climbing is a physically demanding sport, and the health of your wrists is paramount to your performance and overall well-being. Understanding the types of injuries climbers are prone to and the best practices for diagnosis and treatment can help climbers stay safe and continue to enjoy their passion for climbing. Whether you're a seasoned climber or just starting, taking care of your wrists should be a priority to ensure a long and fulfilling climbing journey.

Study:

Schöffl, V., von Schroeder, H., Lisse, J., El-Sheikh, Y., Küpper, T., Klinder, A., & Lutter, C. (2023). Wrist Injuries in Climbers. The American journal of sports medicine, 3635465231199671. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/03635465231199671