Can rock climbing lead to Dupuytren’s disease?

Abstract

Objectives: To determine if rock climbing is a significant factor in the development of Dupuytren's disease in men, and, if so, what is the most likely related factor. Methods: Questionnaires were distributed to all 1100 members of the Climbers' Club of Great Britain. These detailed basic information about the climber, the presence of Dupuytren's disease, and any known risk factors for its development. Results: About half (51%) of the questionnaires were returned. The respondents were almost entirely male. It was revealed that 19.5% of male climbers had developed Dupuytren's disease. There was a significantly higher life time intensity of climbing activity in those with the disease. An earlier age of onset of the disease was found in climbers compared with the general population. Conclusions: This study further strengthens the hypothesis that repetitive trauma to the palmar fascia predisposes to the development of Dupuytren's disease in men.

Radiographic Adaptations to the Stress of High-Level Rock Climbing in Junior Athletes

“…There was no early onset of Dupuytren contracture, which is more prevalent in climbers than in nonclimbers, even at a young age. 10,22 The injuries, since the examination in 1999, represented the range of what is expected in rock and competition climbing 21,30,31,34,37,39 and were not more frequent than among junior athletes in other sports. 6 Nutritional status and injury risk prevention education of the athletes was good, which was already shown in the 1999 evaluation.…”

The Epidemiology of Injury in Mountaineering, Rock and Ice Climbing

“…These pulley injuries are almost rock climbing-specific pathologies and have been studied extensively [24,[46][47][48]. Other finger injuries which are climbing-specific include 'lumbrical shift syndrome' [49], 'extensor hood syndrome' [50], 'epiphyseal fractures' [51], 'flap irritation phenomenon (FLIP) syndrome' [52], 'finger amputations -rope-tangling injuries' [36], morbus Dupuytren [53] and acute problems because of osteoarthritis of the fingers [38,54,55]. In recent publications, back problems ('climbers back' [56]), shoulder pathologies (SLAP and biceps tendon tears [57][58][59]) as well as feet deformations are evolving [60][61][62].…”

Evidence-Based Medicine

“…Rock climbing has been associated with increased risk for Dupuytren disease. 31 A recent meta-analysis of published investigations on this issue meeting high-quality methodologic criteria supports a relationship between high cumulative exposure of hands to high force or high vibration (Level of Evidence: Risk, II). 32 This is consistent with laboratory models of disease showing stimulation of myofibroblast activity by mechanical tension in the surrounding soft-tissue matrix.…”