Wrist Injuries in Climbers: Diagnosis, Management, and Referral Strategies

A 3-hour live course for climbing coaches and healthcare providers

Date: Sunday, September 7th
Time: 8:00–11:00 AM (Mountain Standard Time)
Format: Live via Google Meet
Access: Recording and course materials available

Course Overview

Rock climbing places unique and repetitive demands on the wrist, yet most climbers, coaches, and clinicians lack a structured approach to identifying, treating, and managing wrist injuries. This three-hour live course is designed specifically for climbing coaches, physical therapists, chiropractors, and other healthcare professionals who work with climbers and want to improve their understanding of wrist pathology.

This course will combine biomechanics, orthopedic testing, diagnostic reasoning, and conservative treatment strategies. Participants will leave with the tools to confidently assess wrist injuries, manage them conservatively, and know when to refer out.

What You'll Learn

• Functional anatomy and biomechanics of the wrist in climbing

• Mechanisms of injury in different grip types and movement patterns

• How to perform orthopedic special tests for ulnar- and radial-sided wrist pain

• How to differentiate soft tissue from osseous pathology

• Imaging guidelines: when to refer for X-ray, MRI, CT, or ultrasound

• Principles of conservative management and tissue-specific loading

• Return-to-climb timelines and indicators

• Referral decision-making based on pathology and severity

Pathologies Covered

This course will provide detailed anatomical, biomechanical, diagnostic, and management information for the following 17 wrist pathologies commonly seen in climbers:

1. Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) Injury

2. Distal Radioulnar Joint (DRUJ) Instability

3. Ulnotriquetral Ligament Tear

4. Ulnar Impaction Syndrome

5. Midcarpal Instability

6. Triquetral Impingement Syndrome

7. Extensor Carpi Ulnaris (ECU) Tendon Injury / Subluxation

8. Synovitis of the Ulnocarpal Recess

9. De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis

10. Intersection Syndrome

11. Scapholunate Ligament Injury / Instability (DISI)

12. Hook of Hamate Stress Fracture

13. Bone Marrow Edema Syndromes

14. Wrist Ganglion Cyst

15. Distal Radius Physeal Stress Injury (Youth Climbers)

16. Extensor Pollicis Longus (EPL) Tendon Rupture

17. Flexor Pollicis Longus (FPL) Tendon Rupture

Included With Registration

• Live, interactive 3-hour session via Google Meet

• Full recording of the course for replay

• Downloadable slides, diagnostic flowcharts, and reference guides

• Access to case-based examples and future updates

• Q&A time with Tyler

How It Works

After registering, you’ll receive:

• A confirmation email with the Google Meet link

• Pre-course materials for review

• Access to the course recording and all downloadable resources after the event

Register now to reserve your spot.
This course is capped for live participation to keep it interactive and case-focused.