Climbing Injury Treatment in Exeter | Specialised Care for Finger, Wrist & Shoulder Injuries

Is a Climbing Injury Holding You Back?

Climbing is a demanding sport, requiring strength, flexibility, and technique. But with its challenges come specific injuries that can hinder your performance and keep you off the wall. From finger injuries to twisted knees, climbers face a unique set of risks that require specialised treatment. At Quay Kinetics Physio in Exeter, we understand climbing injuries and work with you to get back to your passion, stronger and more resilient than ever.

You Might Be Asking Yourself:

  • Why does my finger hurt every time I grip or pull on holds?

  • Why do I have pain in my knee after high-stepping or heel-hooking?

  • What’s causing my elbow pain when I climb or train on the hangboard?

  • Can physiotherapy help my climbing injury, or do I need to stop climbing altogether?

At Quay Kinetics Physio, we’re passionate about helping climbers recover from injuries and improve their performance. We have extensive experience treating a wide range of climbing-specific injuries, and our sponsorship of GB Lead climber Joe Walmsley is a testament to our commitment to supporting climbers of all levels.

Climbing places intense strain on the fingers, arms, shoulders, and lower body. Here are some of the most common injuries we treat:

Finger Injuries:

Epiphyseal Growth-Plate Injuries: Common in younger climbers, growth plate injuries occur due to the repetitive stress of pulling on small holds

Pulley Injuries: A2 and A4 pulley injuries are common among climbers and cause pain and weakness when gripping.

Collateral Ligament Strains: Pain on the sides of the finger joints from overloading.

Joint Capsulitis and Synovitis: Inflammation in the finger joints, often resulting from repeated strain or improper hand positioning.

Knee Injuries:

Ligament Injuries: Twisted knees from high-stepping, rock-overs, and falling while bouldering can cause damage to ligaments, leading to pain and instability.

Hamstring Strain/Tear: Climbing can put extreme strain on the hamstrings, resulting in muscle strain or tears.

Knee Pain from Rock-Overs and High-Stepping: Climbers often experience knee pain from high-stress movements like rock-overs and deep steps.

Ankle Injuries:

Twisted Ankles from Bouldering Falls: Sudden impacts from falls can lead to sprained or twisted ankles, which need proper care to prevent long-term damage.

Wrist Injuries:

TFCC (Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex) Injuries: Overuse or falls can damage the wrist cartilage, leading to pain and instability during climbs.

Overuse Tendon Injuries: Pain and inflammation in the wrist tendons from repetitive gripping and pulling movements.

Elbow Injuries:

Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis): Pain on the outside of the elbow caused by repetitive gripping, pulling, and hangboarding.

Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis): Pain on the inside of the elbow, often resulting from overuse of the forearm muscles in climbing.

Climber’s Elbow (Distal Bicep Tendonitis): Pain at the front of the elbow from overloading the bicep tendon.

Foot and Toe Injuries:

Toe Strain and Pain from Tight Shoes: Climbers often experience foot and toe pain due to the tight-fitting shoes used for precision on holds.

Metatarsal Stress Injuries: Repeated pressure on the feet can lead to stress fractures or inflammation in the metatarsal bones.

Shoulder Injuries:

SLAP Lesions (Superior Labral Tear from Anterior to Posterior): Common in climbers who perform dynamic or overhead movements, causing pain and instability in the shoulder.

Rotator Cuff Injuries.

Why Choose Quay Kinetics Physio for Your Climbing Injury?

At Quay Kinetics Physio, we understand the unique demands of climbing. Our clinic is based inside the Quay Climbing Centre. Our team has extensive experience working with climbers, from those just starting out to elite-level athletes like GB Lead climber Joe Walmsley. Our Chartered Physiotherapists are highly skilled in diagnosing and treating the wide range of injuries that climbers face.

We take a holistic approach to your recovery, focusing not only on healing your injury but also on improving your strength, flexibility, and technique to prevent future problems. Whether you’ve sustained a finger pulley injury or are dealing with chronic knee pain, we’ll work with you to develop a personalised rehabilitation plan that gets you back to climbing safely and effectively.

Additional Services We Offer:

If further imaging is needed, we can refer you for X-rays or MRIs privately to assess the extent of your injury. We also offer advice on whether joint injections may be helpful in managing your symptoms. Our treatment approach includes manual therapy, taping, and acupuncture, alongside tailored exercise programs to strengthen the affected areas.

Our Comprehensive Approach Includes:

  • Accurate Diagnosis: We begin by identifying the root cause of your injury with a thorough assessment of your climbing movements and habits.

  • Manual Therapy: Hands-on techniques to reduce pain, restore mobility, and improve joint function, particularly in the fingers, wrists, and shoulders.

  • Exercise Therapy: A personalised program to strengthen the muscles and tendons used in climbing, reducing the risk of re-injury.

  • Movement Optimisation: Teaching you how to improve your climbing technique, whether it’s better grip mechanics or optimising your foot placement.

  • Taping: To support injured fingers, wrists, or shoulders during the recovery process and protect them when you return to climbing.

  • Acupuncture: Used to relieve pain and inflammation as part of a broader treatment plan.

Get Back to the Wall with Confidence

A climbing injury doesn’t have to keep you off the wall forever. At Quay Kinetics Physio, we’ll work with you to diagnose your injury, treat it effectively, and get you back to climbing with strength and confidence.

Book your consultation today and start your recovery journey with expert support from Quay Kinetics Physio.