[Stress syndrome of the fingers related to rock climbing]

In addition to the well-known common trauma in the practice of rock climbing, free climbing at top level has given rise to a new specific pathology affecting the flexor apparatus of the fingers. The cases of 23 top level climbers (performance level 6a to 8a) have been reviewed. 1/3 of them had severe pain in their fingers caused by traction movements. 1 climber out of 4 were referred to us for the above symptomatology. The diagnosis was either tendinitis or tenosynovitis, and the treatment was always conservative. Understanding the pathogenesis of the conflict between tendon and pulley movements will permit partly to cure these lesions, but our aim should be to prevent them.