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mother_sheep
Sep 24, 2004, 3:23 PM
Post #27 of 28
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Registered: Jul 18, 2002
Posts: 3984
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Thanks Steve. The swelling has gone down quite a bit. Thanks for the info. :-)
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mtl_climber
May 9, 2008, 3:16 AM
Post #28 of 28
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Registered: Jul 3, 2006
Posts: 35
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reno,
Where can I find documentation about what you explain here below ?
Thanks !
[quote "reno"]Human Anatomy, Lesson 2: The Fingers.
Around the joints in the body is a fibrous sheath that is called synovial tissue. This tissue is more-or-less uniform and contains a small amount of fluid, much like a lubricant. This fluid is called... synovial fluid. (See how easy they make it? That's so simple minded folk like myself can understand it.)
A thickened part of that synovial sheath is commonly known as a ligament, by the way.
Now, the purpose of the synovial fluid is to lubricate the joint, so that when you bend your fingers, you don't get friction (which can hurt -- See "Human Disease Pathophysiology, Lesson 95: Arthritis.")
"Cracking your knuckles" is no more than creating a small opening in that sheath, and thereby releasing the pressure within the joint. Hence, the "pop" or "crack."
After a long day of climbing, where you repeatedly bend/straighten your fingers (unless you're climbing at Indian Creek, where straight fingers and hand jams will get you through,) you've released a bit of that synovial fluid. The body, in an attempt to compensate, will make extra synovial fluid. This extra fluid, combined with fluids released during the inflammation process, causes swelling.
There's really no sure-fire way to stop this from happening. It's gonna happen, and all you can do is treat it when it does.
The standard therapy, in the immediate moment, is application of cryotherapy (cold) to the area. An ice bag, applied to the hands for about 15 minutes, after climbing, will help limit swelling, and facilitate reduction of the inflammatory process (histamine release, hyperosmolarity of cellular fluids, etc.)
HOWEVER!
Since it is rare that one has a bag of ice cubes handy after a long multi-pitch route, one must find a suitable, and more logistically feasable alternative.
Try this (it works for me...) Get thee six bottles of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Keep 'em cold by immersion in Boulder Creek. After climbing, plunge your hand into the creek (the technique is straightforward, if complicated... knees bent, back straight, feet shoulder-width apart, etc.) and grasp the individual bottles one at a time. Hold said bottle until it becomes warm or emtpy, whichever comes first, and repeat.
One set of three grabs per hand. May be repeated as needed, but such repetition may make one so fatigued as to be unable to safely operate a motor vehicle, so make arangements beforehand.
Oh, and take two aspirin and call me a week before Thanksgiving, so we can discuss your progress. Wouldn't want you hampered at Red Rocks.
That is all.
"Nurse? Can you call the next patient, please?"[/quote]
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