Climbing injuries
Injuries in rock climbing may occur due to falls, or due to overuse (see Sports injury). Injuries due to falls are relatively uncommon; the vast majority of injuries result from overuse, most often occurring in the fingers, elbows, and shoulders. Such injuries are often no worse than torn calluses, cuts, burns and bruises. However, overuse symptoms, if ignored, may lead to permanent damage (esp. to tendons, tendon sheaths, ligaments, and joint capsules). Risk groups. The climbers most prone to injuries are intermediate to expert within lead climbing or bouldering. Overuse injuries in climbing. In terms of overuse injuries  a British study found that: One injury that tend to be very common among climbers is Carpal tunnel syndrome. It is found in about 25% of climbers. Finger injuries. 604 injured rock climbers were prospectively evaluated from January 1998 to December 2001, due to the rapid growth of new complex finger trauma in the mid-1980s. Of the most frequent injuries, three out of four were related to the fingers: pulley injuries accounted for 20%, tendovaginitis for 7%, and joint capsular damage for 6.1%. Pulleys. Damage to the flexor tendon pulleys that encircle and support the tendons that cross the finger  joints is the most common finger injury within the sport (see climber's finger). The main culprit for pulley related injuries is the common crimp grip, especially in the closed position. The crimp grip requires a near ninety-degree flexion of the middle finger joint, which produces a tremendous force load on the A2 pulley. Injuries to the A2 pulley can range from microscopic to partial tears and, in the worst case, complete ruptures. Some climbers report hearing a pop, which might be a sign of a significant tear or complete rupture, during an extremely heavy move (e.g. tiny crimp , one- or two-finger pocket). Small partial tears, or inflammation can occur over the course of several sessions. Shoulder injuries. Shoulder related injuries include rotator cuff tear, strain or tendinitis, biceps tendinitis and SLAP lesion. Elbow injuries. Tennis elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) is a common elbow injury among climbers, as is Golfer's elbow (Medial Epicondylitis, which is similar, but occurs on the inside of the elbow). Calluses, dry skin. Climbers often develop calluses on their fingers from regular contact with the rock and the rope. When calluses split open they expose a raw layer of skin that can be very  painful. This type of injury is commonly referred to as a flapper. The use of magnesium carbonate (chalk) for better grip dries out the skin and can often lead to cracked and damaged hands There are a number of skincare products available for climbers that help to treat calluses, moisturise dry hands and reduce recovery time. Young/adolescent climbers. "Any finger injury that is sustained by a young adolescent (12–16) should be seen by a physician and have x-rays performed. These skeletally immature athletes are very susceptible to developing debilitating joint arthritis later in adulthood."