Back to 2026 ePosters
Epidemiology and Patterns of Finger, Hand, and Wrist Injuries in Climbers: A Systematic Review
Emily Powis, BS
1,2, Stella den Hengst, BSc
1,3, Carrie Cooper, DPT
4, Diamond Shawn, MD
5; Krystle R. Tuaņo, MD
2,6(1)Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, (2)Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, (3)Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands, (4)Doctor of Physical Therapy, Salt Lake City, UT, (5)Texas Tech, El Paso, TX, (6)Massachusetts General Hospital | Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
IntroductionFinger, hand, and wrist injuries are a significant concern in the rapidly growing sport of climbing. These injuries have distinct patterns and risk factors due to climbing's unique biomechanical demands and movement patterns, which differ from those in other sports. Understanding the epidemiology, mechanisms, and outcomes of these injuries is essential for effective prevention and management; however, current data remain heterogeneous and underreported.
Materials & MethodsWe conducted a systematic review, following PRISMA guidelines, of studies on finger, hand, and wrist injuries in climbers published between 1982 and 2024. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched. Inclusion criteria encompassed English-language studies reporting primary data on finger/hand/wrist injuries in climbers of any discipline (boulder/lead/speed/trad/ice etc.), venues (indoor or outdoor), and experience levels. Data extraction focused on study design, participant characteristics, injury types, and associated risk or protective factors. Due to methodological heterogeneity, a narrative synthesis was performed.
ResultsSeventy-one studies met inclusion criteria, comprising both prospective and retrospective designs with a combined population of 690,666 climbers of varying age, gender, and skill level across diverse countries. Studies consistently identified the fingers, hand, and wrist as the most frequently injured upper extremity sites, with flexor tendon pulley ruptures, finger tenosynovitis, and capsulitis being particularly prevalent. Acute injuries were more prevalent in bouldering and lead climbing, while chronic overuse injuries were more common in sport climbing. Few studies systematically compared injury rates between indoor and outdoor climbing or among different disciplines. Most data originated from high-income countries.
ConclusionFinger, hand, and wrist injuries represent a substantial burden among climbers. Underreporting, self-treatment, and variability in injury definitions likely underestimate the true incidence and burden of injuries. Additionally, the predominance of studies from high-income countries limits the generalizability of current findings. Standardization of injury definitions and prospective, multi-regional studies are needed to better characterize risks and inform targeted prevention and rehabilitation strategies. These findings highlight the critical need for ongoing injury surveillance, education, and intervention to support safe participation and long-term hand health in the climbing population. As climbing gains global popularity, proactive efforts to close knowledge gaps and disseminate evidence-based guidelines through stronger collaboration among climbers, hand providers, and researchers are essential to reduce injury burden and promote safer, sustained engagement in the sport.
Back to 2026 ePosters
