Cartilage abnormalities and osteophytes in the fingers of elite sport climbers: An ultrasonography‐based cross‐sectional study

Abstract

The impact of extensive loads on the cartilage of the proximal interphalangeal-(PIP) and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints of the fingers in elite sport climbers are relatively unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in the cartilage of the PIP and DIP joints as well as the existence of osteophytes, in fingers of elite sport climbers with a minimum of 15 years of climbing history. Thirty-one elite male sport climbers and 20 male non-climbers volunteered for the current cross-sectional observation. By means of ultrasonography, the thickness of cartilage of the PIP and DIP joints in a sagittal and frontal plane of the digits II to V of both hands, as well as the existence of osteophytes on the dorsal aspect of the phalanges were assessed. The main results were: (1) cartilage thickness revealed to be significantly greater in climbers than non-climbers,; (2) larger cartilage thickness differences were found at the DIP joints; (3) while climbers showed a substantial occurrence of osteophytes with highest relative frequencies at Dig III, in the group of non-climbers no osteophytes were observed; (4) small to moderate correlations were found between the cartilage and osteophyte thickness of climbers at the PIP and DIP joints and Dig III. In conclusion, an accumulation of repetitive climbing-related stress to the fingers of elite sport climbers over the career may induce degenerative changes at the PIP and DIP joints.

Cortical Bone Thickness, Base Osteophyte Occurrence and Radiological Signs of Osteoarthritis in the Fingers of Male Elite Sport Climbers: A Cross-Sectional 10-Year Follow-Up Study

“…The finding that DIP joints are more affected by degenerative changes than PIP joints is novel, as previous studies have reported a similar occurrence of osteophytes in both proximal and distal interphalangeal joints ( Allenspach et al, 2011 ; Pastor et al, 2020 ). This finding suggests that at later stages of the career, the DIP joints seem to be more prone to degeneration than the PIP joints.…”

“…However, we found most of the clear signs of osteoarthritis in the ap-view in the DIP joints of Dig III. Other studies have also found both fingers, Dig III and IV, to be frequently subject to degeneration ( Allenspach et al, 2011 ; Pastor et al, 2020 ). Therefore, we recommend considering both fingers as particularly affected by degenerative changes in climbers.…”

“…Ten years ago, our research group investigated the influence of high mechanical stress from climbing on the fingers of 31 elite level sport climbers and demonstrated a remarkably high occurrence of osteophytes and thicker cartilage in PIP and DIP joints compared to age-matched controls ( Allenspach et al, 2011 ; Pastor et al, 2020 ). Other authors have also reported osteoarthritis-like changes in the fingers of long-time climbers; although slightly different populations were investigated and other assessment criteria were applied, likely leading to different occurrence frequencies ( Bollen and Wright, 1994 ; Schoffl et al, 2018 ).…”

A Life Dedicated to Climbing and Its Sequelae in the Fingers—A Review of the Literature

“…The palmar plate (PP) was only displayed in the sagittal plane, and thickness was measured at the PIP as well as the DIP joint between the highest part of the distal middle phalanx and the most convex part of the flexor tendons. All measurement principles for the soft tissue evaluation have been previously described [ 9 , 10 ]. Furthermore, a height- and weight-matched 40-year-old non-climbing male surgeon was evaluated for a direct comparison of the presented pictures.…”

Osteophytes mediate the associations between cartilage morphology and changes in knee symptoms in patients with knee osteoarthritis

“…Endochondral ossification has been considered as the most important process in the formation of osteophytes [15]. The degradation of cartilage is also associated with osteophyte formation [16][17][18]. Our previous study reported that baseline cartilage defects could predict an increase in MRI-detected osteophytes over 2.6 years after adjustment for baseline osteophyte score, BMLs, and meniscal extrusion [19].…”