Cartilage abnormalities and osteophytes in the fingers of elite sport climbers: An ultrasonography-based cross-sectional study.

The impact of extensive loads on the cartilage of the proximal interphalangeal- (PIP) and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints of the fingers in elite sport climbers are relatively unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in the cartilage of the PIP and DIP joints as well as the existence of osteophytes, in fingers of elite sport climbers with a minimum of 15 years of climbing history. Thirty-one elite male sport climbers and 20 male non-climbers volunteered for the current cross-sectional observation. By means of ultrasonography, the thickness of cartilage of the PIP and DIP joints in a sagittal and frontal plane of the digits II to V of both hands, as well as the existence of osteophytes on the dorsal aspect of the phalanges were assessed. The main results were: (1) cartilage thickness revealed to be significantly greater in climbers than non-climbers,; (2) larger cartilage thickness differences were found at the DIP joints; (3) while climbers showed a substantial occurrence of osteophytes with highest relative frequencies at Dig III, in the group of non-climbers no osteophytes were observed; (4) small to moderate correlations were found between the cartilage and osteophyte thickness of climbers at the PIP and DIP joints and Dig III. In conclusion, an accumulation of repetitive climbing-related stress to the fingers of elite sport climbers over the career may induce degenerative changes at the PIP and DIP joints.

Connective tissue adaptations in the fingers of performance sport climbers.

This study investigates the changes of the connective tissue in the fingers of performance sport climbers resulting after a minimum of 15 years of climbing. Evaluation was performed by ultrasonography on the palmar side of the fingers (Dig) II-V to measure the thickness of the A2 and A4 annular pulleys, the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) and profundus (FDP) tendons and the palmar plates (PP's) of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) as well as distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint in sagittal and axial direction. Totally, 31 experienced male sport climbers (mean age 37y, 30-48y grade French scale median 8b, range 7b+ to 9a+) participated in the study. The control-group consisted of 20 male non-climbers (age 37y, 30-51y). The A2 and A4 pulleys in climbers were all significantly thicker (A2 Dig III 62%, Dig IV 69%; A4 Dig III 69%, Dig IV 76%) as compared to non-climbers pulleys. All PP's of the DIP joints were also significantly thicker, particularly at Dig III and IV (76 and 67%), whereas the PP's at PIP joints were only scarce significant for three joints. Differences of the diameter of the flexor tendons were less distinct (1-21%) being significant only over the middle phalanx. High load to the fingers of rock climbers after a minimum of 15 years of climbing years induced considerable connective tissue adaptions in the fingers, most distinct at the flexor tendon pulleys and joint capsule (PP) of the DIP joints and well detectable by ultrasound.