Any body ever get diagnosed with a strained lateral band in a finger? I just did. I was wondering what yours felt like when it happened and how long it took to feel better.
The Lateral band, from my understanding, is the tendon that runs on the top of the finger, but is split to run around the side of the PIP, or big joint.
Thanks, Rich

The lateral band is a little teeny combined tendon, composed of the lateral (or radial) slips from extensor digitorum communis, and the lateral slip from the corresponding lumbrical. It is part of the extensor mechanism of the finger.

As a climber, my instincts suggest you have a lumbrical injury, which is quite common in climbers. I've referenced a pretty good study before, a search of "lumbrical injuries in climbers" should be fruitful.

4-12 weeks, dependeing on severity, age, nutrition, level of care, and your own natural propensity for healing. Keep it moving. Don't immobilize it unless further testing reveals more damage, or unless your normal workday is likely to cause further damage. If so, immobilize during the workday, then remove immobilizer and exercise (AROM) as soon as you get home.

This link seems to be working:

http://www.klatring.no/...aM%3D&tabid=5929

Edit #2: here is a drawing: (if anybody knows how to open this and post it here for future reference, I'd be grateful!)