Ultrasound Assessment of Anatomical Changes in the Fingers of Recreational Rock Climbers

NCT06410339 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2022-195
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 50
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The objective of this study is to assess whether recreational rock climbers experience thickening of the flexor digitorum tendon in the 2nd 3rd and 4th fingers. In these fingers the study will also assess whether there is thickening of the A2 annular pulley and if there is a measurable increase in the tendon to bone distance at the level of the A2 pulley when the fingers are placed into flexion against mild resistance. This study aims to provide clinicians with an understanding of how exposure to rock climbing can lead to chronic anatomical changes to the soft tissue structures of the finger. These changes have been demonstrated in the elite rock climber population, but have yet to be studied in the much larger and growing recreational rock climbing population which consisted of nearly 10 million participants in 2021. If significant, these anatomical variations might guide the assessment of imaging and clinical decision making when managing finger injuries in patients with exposure to rock climbing. Portable ultrasound probes will be used to scan and measure the dimensions of various soft tissue structures in the hands of both rock climbers and a control population, this data will be paired with data collected in a brief survey asking about exposure to rock climbing, history of finger injuries, and style of climbing.

Conditions

Flexor Tendons Injuries

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Injuries to finger, specifically flexor tendon

  Questionnaire

  1 year

Study Arms (2)

rock climbers

rock climbers of varying experience levels 18-40 years old

Diagnostic Test: Ultrasound

control

non rock climbers 18-40 years old

Diagnostic Test: Ultrasound

Interventions

Ultrasound DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

ultrasound of flexor tendons on hands

control; rock climbers

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 40 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

healthy 18-40 year olds

You may qualify if:

• \*Able to hold finger still for ultrasound measurement

You may not qualify if:

• Previous ligamentous or tendinous injury in the fingers being tested
• Connective tissue disorder
• Condition affecting the structure or function of their fingers.
• Pregnancy

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Rocky Vista University, LLC: lead

Study Sites (1)

Rocky Vista University

Parker, Colorado, 80112, United States

RECRUITING

Related Publications (3)

• Klauser A, Bodner G, Frauscher F, Gabl M, Zur Nedden D. Finger injuries in extreme rock climbers. Assessment of high-resolution ultrasonography. Am J Sports Med. 1999 Nov-Dec;27(6):733-7. doi: 10.1177/03635465990270060801.

  PMID: 10569358 BACKGROUND

• El-Sheikh Y, Wong I, Farrokhyar F, Thoma A. Diagnosis of finger flexor pulley injury in rock climbers: A systematic review. Can J Plast Surg. 2006 Winter;14(4):227-31. doi: 10.1177/229255030601400405.

  PMID: 19554140 BACKGROUND

• Schoffl V, Simon M, Lutter C. [Finger and shoulder injuries in rock climbing]. Orthopade. 2019 Dec;48(12):1005-1012. doi: 10.1007/s00132-019-03825-3. German.

  PMID: 31705177 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Ultrasonography

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Diagnostic Imaging; Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; Diagnosis

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 30, 2024
• First Posted: May 13, 2024
• Study Start: April 29, 2024
• Primary Completion: September 1, 2024
• Study Completion: May 1, 2025
• Last Updated: May 13, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-05

Locations

US (1)