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Fire-17
Nov 12, 2012, 6:17 PM
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Hey guys,
I have started getting into climbing seriously a month and a half ago, hitting the rock wall three times a week for about an hour to an hour and a half (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday). It has been two days since my last climb and my fingers have been having a pain when I bend them and I cannot crack my middle knuckle without there being pain. Since it has only been a little over a month and I have been spreading out my climbing, I couldn’t imagine it being an over training injury.
What do you guys think? I have another climbing session tomorrow and I would hate to miss it but if it is in the best interest of my hands and my future in the sport I’ll take a day off.
Thank you for your help,
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Wade308
Nov 12, 2012, 6:23 PM
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If you have doubts about it, take the day off. It's just like any exercise. Your body tells you when to take a break. If you ignore that, that's when you can injure yourself.
Not worth jacking yourself up for. There will be plenty more sessions.
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DemolitionRed
Nov 12, 2012, 7:42 PM
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It sort of comes with the territory. I tend not to get finger pain like you describe anymore but when I did I used to tape my fingers. I personally found that helped support the bands.
I now get what I call 'shiny topped fingers' The very tips of my fingers can become raw and even numb from time to time. It usually happens after a challenging climb and when it occurs I rest for a few days.
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Fire-17
Nov 12, 2012, 8:00 PM
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What is the best way to tape my fingers? I have athletic tapw from some old track/xc injuries
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lena_chita
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Nov 12, 2012, 8:29 PM
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Fire-17 wrote: Hey guys, I have started getting into climbing seriously a month and a half ago, hitting the rock wall three times a week for about an hour to an hour and a half (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday). It has been two days since my last climb and my fingers have been having a pain when I bend them and I cannot crack my middle knuckle without there being pain. Since it has only been a little over a month and I have been spreading out my climbing, I couldn’t imagine it being an over training injury. What do you guys think? I have another climbing session tomorrow and I would hate to miss it but if it is in the best interest of my hands and my future in the sport I’ll take a day off. Thank you for your help,
How old are you? Is the pain on the outside/top of your knuckles? Inside the knuckles? On the palm side of the hand? Does it hurt only when you bend your finger, or does it hurt continuously? Does it hurt more when you just wake up, or when you are cold? What kind of pain? Sore? sharp? Dull?
If pain is in more than one finger, it is unlikely to be a popped tendon, especially if you do not recall any movement or even in which you felt/heard a pop. It could be arthritis. it could be pinched nerve. who knows.
And I absolutely would not jump to a conclusion that you need to tape your fingers and continue climbing. Take a break, and go to the doctor for diagnosis. You'll be happier that you did, in the long term.
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Fire-17
Nov 12, 2012, 11:50 PM
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Lena Chita,
The pain is mainly on the middle and ring fingers on both of my hands, mainly my right. the middle knuckle hurts when I apply pressure around the knuckle, not a debilitating pain but more of a dull pain when I bend the knuckle. The pain is more focused on my middle finger.
I did feel a pop two weeks ago when I was working at the firehouse (middle right finger), but that pain has since gone away
I am 21 years old
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lena_chita
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Nov 13, 2012, 2:57 PM
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"pop"=bad. You probably did partially tear a tendon, at least in that particular finger.
Multiple fingers hurting - probably overuse and doing too much too soon. I guess arthritis is unlikely at 21yo, unless you have autoimmune conditions.
Gym can be very intense in terms of stressing your fingers, because, unlike climbing outside, you can pack a really high volume of climbing into a short period of time. Slow down.
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curt
Nov 14, 2012, 6:29 AM
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lena_chita wrote: "pop"=bad. You probably did partially tear a tendon, at least in that particular finger. low down.
Actually, more likely it's one of the pulleys that is partially torn. In any event, resting it until there is no longer any pain is probably a good idea.
Curt
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lena_chita
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Nov 14, 2012, 5:27 PM
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curt wrote: lena_chita wrote: "pop"=bad. You probably did partially tear a tendon, at least in that particular finger. low down. Actually, more likely it's one of the pulleys that is partially torn. In any event, resting it until there is no longer any pain is probably a good idea. Curt
You are right, of course. I was thinking that when I wrote tendon.
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herites
Nov 14, 2012, 5:47 PM
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My fingers started to hurt a year ago, only when climbing indoors. I'm 23 y/o so probably not arthritis, as mentioned below by lena_chita. It's just gym climbing is more intense, and your fingers are probably overused. Also, did you gain any weight by chance? My fingers started to hurt more and faster after I got a few pounds (actually, not a few :) )
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amarius
Nov 14, 2012, 6:47 PM
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RockAndIce, "Ask Dr J" column has frequently addressed finger pain issue.
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Fire-17
Nov 15, 2012, 3:13 AM
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I think it may be one of the pulleys, im surprised that I am starting to have finger pain this early in my climbing career.
could the hand pain be similar to muscle pain when beginning a run program? lactic acid build up? not sure, still deciding if i should power through or go see my sports doc.
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Wade308
Nov 15, 2012, 11:07 PM
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Just take a day or 2 off and see if it feels better. If it does climb on, if not see the doc.
Powering through is good way to get yourself 6+ weeks of downtime due to serious injury.
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brooklynclimber
Nov 19, 2012, 11:06 PM
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Fire-17 wrote: I think it may be one of the pulleys, im surprised that I am starting to have finger pain this early in my climbing career.
I went to my doc, and he confirmed that it was not a tear, and recommended lots of ibuprofin and ice.
My injury was on my left hand's ring finger, just where a ring would sit, on the inside. Felt a small bump which hurt when I gripped and was tender to the touch.
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kennoyce
Nov 19, 2012, 11:25 PM
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Fire-17 wrote: I think it may be one of the pulleys, im surprised that I am starting to have finger pain this early in my climbing career. could the hand pain be similar to muscle pain when beginning a run program? lactic acid build up? not sure, still deciding if i should power through or go see my sports doc.
The earlier you are in your climbing career, the easier it is to get injured. Your muscles are probably much stronger than your tendons and pullys so it is very easy to injure them until they get stronger. If you did partially tear a pully you should really take at least a couple of months off so that it can heal correctly. As has been said, listen to your body, if it hurts, take some time off.
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