Climbing while healing: An orthotic intervention for rock climbers with a low- grade A2 pulley injury, a case series.

Background: Pulley injuries are common among rock climbers, which is a growing population. Hand therapists need a therapeutic intervention which promotes healing and enables participation.

Purpose: The purpose of this case series is to detail the functional outcomes of a 12-week protocol using a pulley ring orthosis (PRO) among rock climbers with a grade I, II, or III pulley injury.

Study Design: A prospective repeated measures case series followed the healing timeline of four participants who rock climbed while wearing the invervention device, the PRO, with weekly measurements to monitor healing METHODS: Participants with a grade I, II, or III A2 pulley injury were custom fitted for a PRO, which they wore while rock climbing a minimum of 3 times per week for 12 weeks. Weekly check-ins were scheduled for subjective and objective measurements.

Results: All participants demonstrated indicators of full healing, which, in this study, is defined as progressive improvement in strength, function, and pain, without interruption of their typical rock climbing schedules.

Conclusions: Providers should consider the use of a PRO as a protective orthosis for rock climbing patients with a low-grade A2 pulley injury who want to continue rock climbing while they are healing.