Ultrasound Assessment of Anatomical Changes in the Fingers of Recreational Rock Climbers
Rocky Vista University, LLC
Summary
The objective of this study is to assess whether recreational rock climbers experience thickening of the flexor digitorum tendon in the 2nd 3rd and 4th fingers. In these fingers the study will also assess whether there is thickening of the A2 annular pulley and if there is a measurable increase in the tendon to bone distance at the level of the A2 pulley when the fingers are placed into flexion against mild resistance. This study aims to provide clinicians with an understanding of how exposure to rock climbing can lead to chronic anatomical changes to the soft tissue structures of the finger. These changes have been demonstrated in the elite rock climber population, but have yet to be studied in the much larger and growing recreational rock climbing population which consisted of nearly 10 million participants in 2021. If significant, these anatomical variations might guide the assessment of imaging and clinical decision making when managing finger injuries in patients with exposure to rock climbing. Portable ultrasound probes will be used to scan and measure the dimensions of various soft tissue structures in the hands of both rock climbers and a control population, this data will be paired with data collected in a brief survey asking about exposure to rock climbing, history of finger injuries, and style of climbing.
Description
The aim of this study is to assess whether there in an increase in the diameter of the flexor digitorum tendon, an increase in thickness of the A2 annular pulley, and the tendon to bone distance at the A2 pulley in recreational rock climbers when compared to the general population when assessed using sonography. Recreational rock climbing is an emerging sport with more than 10 million estimated participants in the United States alone. Point of care ultrasound is a common, affordable modality to assess finger injuries and is being used commonly by sports medicine physicians globally. Measuring…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–40 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: \*Able to hold finger still for ultrasound measurement Exclusion Criteria: * Previous ligamentous or tendinous injury in the fingers being tested * Connective tissue disorder * Condition affecting the structure or function of their fingers. * Pregnancy
Interventions
- Diagnostic TestUltrasound
ultrasound of flexor tendons on hands
Location
- Rocky Vista UniversityParker, Colorado