gms | German Medical Science

Background: In the past few years, competition climbing has grown in popularity and younger people are being drawn to the sport.

Hypothesis: While the radiographic changes in long-term climbers are known, there is little data available on young climbers. The question arises as to whether climbing at high levels at a young age leads to radiographic changes and possibly an early onset of osteoarthritis of the finger joints.

Methods: 19 members of the German Junior National Team (GJNT) and 18 recreational climbers (RC) were examined clinically and through radiographs 1999. In 2011 we re-examined the members of the long-term study for a follow up (mean follow up: 11.3 +/-1.2 years). Radiographs were evaluated using a standard protocol searching for physiological adaptation as cortical thickness of the middle phalanx and an increased Barnett Nordin Index as well as for early onset osteoarthritic changes of the hand.

Results: Overall 15 out of 19 (follow up rate 78.9%) climbers of the GJNT and 13 out of 18 climbers of the RC team (follow up rate 72,2%) with a mean age of 26.8 years could be examined for the 11 year follow up. In 80% of GJNT members and 46% of RC group members radiographic stress reactions of the hand could be found: Cortical hypertrophy (73% GJNT, 23% RC), subchondral sclerosis (80% GJNT, 31%RC), broadened joint base PIP (67% GJNT, 38% RC), and broadened joint base DIP (53% GJNT, 31% RC), respectively. Training intensity in 1999 (p<0.05) and body weight in 1999 were significant (p<0.05) for the development of radiographic stress reactions in 2011. Signs of an early stage of osteoarthritis were seen in 6 climbers, 4 climbers (27%) of the GJNT group and 2 climbers of the RC group (15%). Significant statistical influences for the development of early onset osteoarthritis could be found for the overall sum of training-years (p=0,024), use of campusboard training in 1999 (p=0,033) and the climbing level (p=0,030).

Conclusion: One quarter of climbers who performed at a high level in their youth showed a "mild" form of osteoarthritis (Kellgren II), being less than 30 years old. Following the training regimes of our climbers for more than 10 years we may conclude, that intensive finger training e.g. campus board training can lead to early onset osteoarthritis of the hand. We could also demonstrate, that a high UIAA climbing level correlates with the risk for early onset osteoarthritis of the hand and therefore must be seen as a risk factor for developing early onset osteoarthritis of the finger joints.