HAND INJURIES IN ROCK CLIMBING - REACHING THE RIGHT TREATMENT

Rock climbers' grip techniques may result in a variety of hand injurie s. Minor injuries such as soft-tissue damage, flexor tendon strain, te ndinitis or tenosynovitis, joint contractures, and carpal tunnel syndr ome may be treated by a primary care physician. Patients who have pull ey ruptures should be referred if there is any uncertainty about the d iagnosis. Because of controversies regarding surgical management, prim ary care physicians should refer patients who have a complete ligament tear. Referral is also recommended for such serious injuries as locke d digits, flexor tendon avulsions or ruptures, and severe joint contra ctures.