The only other sport this injury has been described in is baseball, in elite pitchers.
What Is a Finger Pulley?
These digital pulleys hold thetendons(structures that connect muscles to bones) against the bones of the fingers.
Hermann Erber / LOOK-foto / Getty Images
Bowstringing happens when one pulley gives out or ruptures.
Pain, stiffness, and an inability to fully flex the finger can occur.
In rock climbers, either or both of those pulleys may be injured.
In baseball pitchers, the injury is typically isolated to the A4 pulley.
Special imaging tests may be performed to both help with the diagnosis and to plan for treatment.
An X-ray can also be helpful to exclude other causes of finger pain includingsprains and fractures of the finger.
If there is bowstringing of the tendons, then more careful management of the injury is needed.
Only in situations where there are multiple pulley ruptures or if there is delayed treatment should surgery be necessary.
As far as returning to activity, this varies significantly with the severity of the injury.
With mild pulley strains, full activity can be resumed as soon as swelling and pain have subsided.
Summary
Finger pulleys are structures that hold tendons against the bones of the fingers.
Pulley injuries are most often seen in rock climbers and occasionally in baseball pitchers.
Pulley injuries should be evaluated by a healthcare provider as soon as possible to prevent complications.
Treatment most often consists of physical therapy, but surgery may be necessary.
Miro PH, vanSonnenberg E, Sabb DM, Schoffl V.Finger Flexor Pulley Injuries in Rock Climbers.Wilderness Environ Med.
2016;8(5):469-478. doi:10.1177/1941738116658643
