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gblauer
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Oct 11, 2005, 9:29 PM
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OK, my hands ache much of the time. This is particularly true after hard climbing. The harder the grade, the harder it is on my hands. (duh...). Anyway, I went to see a hand surgeon (I had to take my son who has had a swollen knuckle for the past 8 months...turns out he broke his finger and now it is healed in a strange position). I asked the doctor about the effects of climbing on aging (48 year old) human hands. He tested my pinch strength, grip strength, conducted an examination and did some crays. So here is his diagnosis: Everything is fine. There is no evidence of arthritis, joint displacement, soft tissue damage. He told me that humans weren't really meant to climb (our arms and fingers are too short) and that we put a great deal of stress on our hands when we climb. (nothing new here) He warned me that arthritis was not an overnight "thing" that it develops over time. He could not tell me if I was at greater risk for arthritis due to climbing. He said some people do nothing and get it, others abuse their hands and get it. He recommended taking glucosamine (although he stated it was unproven, he does take it himself), minimizing the swelling after hard climbing (ice, edema gloves for sleeping) and doing some finger/hand strengthening exercises. Needless to say I was relieved when he told me that my hands looked good. I really thought I was doing some permanent damage (especially after my last trip to the Red). I am taking MSM (8000-12,000MG per day), calcium, chromium and an herbal anti inflammatory. I guess I will add the glucosamine although my family doctor is concerned about the long term effects (permanent insulin resistance). I do find that icing my hands after climbing helps, but it is not always convenient. Just thought I would share what the doctor said...in case any of you are having the same issues. Anyone else have achy hands? Are you doing anything that is helping?
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onemistakebigpancake
Oct 11, 2005, 9:52 PM
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My middle finger joints hurt alot some days after climbing. I give myself anti-inflammatories, ice followed by heat. That relieves most of the ache-ness. If that still does not work, I take a 2-3 week off climbing. I know it sets me back, but in the greater scheme of things, I rather not have narled hands in my old age. My 2 pennies
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cruzit
Oct 12, 2005, 6:42 PM
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I don't have the achy hands...but I'm closing in on the old age (44). When I was diagnosed with arthritis in my knee and back, my GP recommended I start using an MSM/Glucasamine combo. It does appear to have a beneficial effect. I was hurting less after only a couple of days. Several other people I know indicate it has helped them as well. With all the problems with Bextra and the other anti-inflammatory drugs, MSM/Glucasamine is one of the only options left to help with joint inflammation.
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acacongua
Oct 12, 2005, 7:05 PM
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Yes!!! My right hand is killing me and I'm doing my best to avoid meds, although I give in when I get to the rock. I'm only 29 too. :( My friend just started the GCM supplements and raves about how good he feels. I think I need to consider it as well.
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onemistakebigpancake
Oct 12, 2005, 8:35 PM
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btw... I do supplement with GCM, but I don't alway remember to take it. I think it does help to a degree, but like someone else has said, it has not been proven. Regardless, I'll take the placebo effect, if it helps.
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rockelf
Oct 13, 2005, 12:06 AM
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Hey, Hey Now....let's just take it easy on 40 something and old in the same sentence..... OK, yep when I climb really hard, my hands hurt too. Had some trouble with my left wrist a while back too, but as I got stronger that went away, but the hands are always sore after I climb( now I have frigging tendonitis in my shoulder too..but that is another story). We take glucosamine every day and it helps. I try to take it easy on the NSAIDS, don't want to blow out my liver..... Yikes :roll: Ruth Hi Gail.....
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phylp
Oct 26, 2005, 1:51 AM
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Dear Gail- Wow, I'm sorry to hear your hands ache but it's a strange story. You asked about other's experience so I'll tell you mine. I'm 53. I've been climbing for 25 years with no long breaks and I climb a fair bit. I climb cracks about as much as face climbing (usually on 5.10-5.11). All of my joints have some very visible build up from the years of crimping but there is no pain associated with it at all. I have had 2 A4 pulley tendon injuries (in different fingers) in the last 10 years, both when I forgot to tape (both at crimpy cruxes). The only time my hands feel a little achey it is clearly muscle not tendon and responds to heat and massage (both hand and forearm massage) I take 1-2 gms per day glucosamine/chondroitin. Your comment was the first I ever heard about glucosamine and insulin resistance and it did not make sense to me (I was a research biochemist and did research on diabetes and obesity for a time). I did some quick reading on the internet and without going into a long song and dance, I'm definately not concerned about it. Good luck Phyl
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gblauer
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Oct 26, 2005, 1:58 AM
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Phyl...Thanks so much for your response. My hands still hurt even though I take 8000mgs of MSM per day. I guess I have to go back to the glucosamine as well. Hoping to climb for 25 more years! Gail
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