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 examined the members of the longterm study for a 11 year follow up. 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 osteoarthrotic changes of the hand. Results: Overall 15 out of 19 (Follow up Rate 75%) 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. Six climbers (33%) of GJNT presented with a decreased range of motion for the small finger joints, in contrast to only one climber (7%) of RC group. In 80% of GJNT members and 50% of RC group members radiographic stress reactions of the hand could be found: Cortical hypertrophy (73% GJNT, 25% RC), subchondral sclerosis (80% GJNT, 33%RC), broadened joint base PIP (66% GJNT, 42% RC), and broadened joint base DIP (53% GJNT, 33% RC), respectively. Signs of an early stage of osteoarthritis were seen in 6 climbers, 4 climbers (26%) of the GJNT group and 2 climbers of the RC group (17%). The Barnett Nordin Index was 0,63 0,105 (mean SD) in GJNT, and 0,61 0,07 (mean SD) in RC group members. Conclusion: We could find a “mild” form of osteoarthritis (Kellgren II) in up to 20% of our climbers, beeing less than 30 years old. Following the training regime 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 (p=0,30) with the risk for early onset osteoarthritis of the hand and therefore must be seen as a high-risk factor for developing early onset osteoarthritis of the fingerjoints.     «

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 recre...     »