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The rise in popularity of competitive and recreational rock climbing, particularly following its inclusion in the 2021 Summer Olympics, has led to a corresponding increase in rock climbing-related injuries. Due to the sport's unique biomechanical demands, it often presents injuries not commonly seen in other sports. Additionally, although some injuries align with those encountered in other sports, they manifest through distinctive climbing-related mechanisms unfamiliar to many clinicians. This paper delves into 10 prevalent injuries associated with the sport, exploring both sport-specific injuries and the unique mechanisms behind commonly encountered ones. Each injury receives a comprehensive overview, detailing its clinical presentation, evaluation, specific injury mechanisms with photographic and graphic illustrations, imaging representations, and treatment considerations. This paper aims to serve as a valuable reference for clinicians dealing with rock climbing-related injuries in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This is the first study to evaluate sport-related injuries in competitive Paraclimbing athletes with the aim of creating a medical database for future research on injury prevention. Design: This was a descriptive epidemiology study. Data collection took place in two parts. In the first part, an online survey (n = 81) was conducted. The second part was undertaken during three competitions (n = 273) of the 2021 International Federation of Sport Climbing Paraclimbing competitions. Injury severity grading was determined using the Climbing Injury Score of the International Federation of Sport Climbing. Results: In the online survey, 76 injuries were reported: 62% acute and 38% chronic injuries. Injury severity was as follows: 21 scored 1, 34 scored 2a, 19 scored 2b, and 2 scored 3. The most injured body regions were the upper extremity (66%)with shoulder injuries (29%) most common; 53%reported regular pain/discomfort during training/competition and 16% used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs regularly to prevent pain/discomfort when training. In the 2021 International Federation of Sport Climbing Paraclimbing competitions, eight injuries were recorded. Injury severity was as follows: seven scored 1 and one scored 2a. The most injured body region was the upper extremity (47%). Overall, the calculated climbing time was 975 hrs, and injury incidence risk was 8.21 per 1000 hrs. Conclusion: Compared with nondisabled climbers, the injury pattern seems to be sport dependent but influenced by the unique impairments of the athletes. In Paraclimbing competitions, the injury severity is mostly mild, with an overall low injury incidence. A concern is the number of athletes with pain/discomfort during training/competition with regular nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The annular pulley ligaments of the fingers are one of the most injured anatomical structures in those who participate in climbing. Despite this, there is a paucity of guidance clearly describing the rehabilitation and physical preparation parameters to return to sport following such injuries. The foundation of effective rehabilitation is the judicious application of progressive loading to increase the morphological and material properties of the damaged tissues. We maintain the optimal management of the climbing athlete after a traumatic annular flexor pulley system rupture should be grounded in the principles of strength and conditioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ski mountaineering (skimo) has been accepted as a new sport for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. The equipment used in this competitive ski mountaineering varies from leisure ski mountaineering equipment mainly in one point: the minimal weight. At the elite athlete level, skimo demands both maximal endurance performance and a high-intensity anaerobic capacity for the sprint and vertical races. Race time significantly correlates to V˙O2max, body mass index and racing gear mass. Available literature only rarely comments on competitive skimo injuries. Injuries are not only due to falls in downhill skiing but also can result from external hazards, such as avalanches and cold. The high training load of athletes in combination with a low body weight, low body fat, and exposure to cold cause high rates of respiratory infections in athletes. The inclusion of skimo into the Olympic program is expected to result in certain changes, such as higher training loads for the athletes and increased scientific interest into training methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The worldwide rise in popularity of climbing and development of climbing as a competitive sport is reflected by its debut at the 2021 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo. Digital primary periphyseal stress injuries in adolescent climbers may pose a significant risk to long-term skeletal health. The aim of this article is to critically review research on the diagnosis and management of primary periphyseal stress injuries of the fingers in adolescent climbers. We adopted a systematic approach to searching for relevant literature. Articles were identified after searches of the following electronic databases: Discover, Academic Search Complete, PubMed, Embase, SPORTDiscus, and ScienceDirect. Conclusive evidence suggests digital primary periphyseal stress injuries are a consequence of repetitive microtrauma. Pain reported by adolescent climbers on the dorsal aspect of the proximal interphalangeal joint should be investigated promptly to avoid serious negative consequences. Clinicians should be aware of the efficacy of imaging techniques to inform a clinical diagnosis. A conservative management approach is preferred but in rare cases surgical intervention may be necessary. A diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm for digital primary periphyseal stress injuries is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of youth participating in rock climbing has increased over the years. Finger stress epiphyseal fractures are the most common injury among youth climbers. These injuries tend to occur around puberty because this is when the physis is most vulnerable to injury. Additionally, it has been found that intensive finger training (campus boarding, a previously known risk factor for epiphyseal fractures) during adolescence can lead to early-onset osteoarthritis of the hand up to a decade later. There is currently a lack of a return-to-climb protocol for youth climbers following a repetitive stress epiphyseal fracture. Because of this gap in the literature, our purpose was to create a structured return-to-play protocol specific to youth climbers who sustained an epiphyseal fracture to the finger. By establishing these guidelines, medical professionals and coaches may be able to guide their athlete to gradually and safely return to sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competition climbing will debut as an Olympic sport at the 2020 summer games in Tokyo. The aim of this article is to critically review research on the incidence of injury in sport climbing and bouldering. The pathophysiology and clinical presentation of finger and shoulder injuries is discussed. A semisystematic approach in reviewing literature on incidence was applied. Articles were identified after searches of the following electronic databases: Discover, Academic Search Complete (EBSCO), PubMed, Embase, SPORTDiscus, and ScienceDirect. Despite methodological shortcomings of the included studies, we estimated the mean ± SD of the incidence rate of injury in sport climbing and bouldering from the eight studies to be 2.71 ± 4.49/1000 h. Differential diagnosis and the clinical management of finger and shoulder injuries in climbers are challenging. An updated diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm for the clinical management of finger injuries in climbers is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the strength measurement and clinical outcome after pulley ruptures in climbers. Twenty-one rock climbers with a grade of 2-4 pulley injury were reevaluated after injury. In combination with an ultrasound examination in extension and forced flexion, clinical evaluation followed a standard questionnaire. The subjects hung with the respective finger in various postures on a ledge attached above a door frame while standing on a force platform. This was done in order to determine the finger strengths. The results of the study revealed that the 21 subjects had old pulley injuries in 27 fingers. The clinical outcome was excellent in all cases. They have also regained their climbing level within a year.

The article offers information on doping in sport climbing including pressure to perform on the world stage, sport climbing athletes become susceptible to the pressures of doping.

The article presents a study regarding the reliability of primary tenodesis as an alternative repair method for superior labral anterior-posterior (SLAP) lesions in high-level rock climbers. It says that primary tenodesis were performed in six climbers with SLAP lesions and degenerative long biceps tendon. Results shows that all the climbers recovered the initial level of their climbing strength after six months.

The article presents a case of male rock climbers with distal biceps tendon rupture that were treated surgically in Germany. The therapy of the proximal biceps tendon ruptures consisted of a shoulder arthroscopy with removal of the tendon stump, and an open reinsertion of the tendon. On the other hand, injuries on the upper body is very common in sports particularly in sports climbing. It shows that eight to 12 percent of the rock climbers who suffered from injuries used the conservative treatment approach rather than the surgical refixation has 0 to 10 percent only.