STRESS DISTRIBUTION AT THE FINGER PULLEYS DURING SPORT CLIMBING

Pulleys are retinacular structures found on the palmar side of the finger phalanges. They maintain the flexor tendons of the hand in constant relationship to the joint axes of the fingers. This helps to preserve the efficiency of finger flexion. The A2 pulley is the longest and strongest amongst the finger pulleys (Lin et al., 1990). However, A2 pulley injuries are common with rock climbers (Klauser et al., 2002a) and the pulley injury risk is 0.75 fingers per individual per year for climbers at the beginner’s stage (Niegl & Fuss, 2003).