What is the A2 pulley?

The A2 and A4 are the major pulleys of the system (inserting directly to the bone) and are most prone to injury. The A1, A3, and A5 pulleys are more flexible and attach to the volar plate, a ligament that connects two phalanges together.

Is A2 pulley a tendon?

Pulleys are made out of very strong ligamentous connective tissue. There are 5 flexor pulleys in each finger (A1-5), the A2 and A4 pulleys being the most relevant to climbers.

How long does an A2 pulley take to heal?

Full A2 pulley tear: This requires the most patience and dedication. You should expect to not return to full climbing until at least 3 months post injury. 4 months would be even safer before pushing the tissue too hard. You can resume easy climbing after 6-8 weeks BUT this means EASY.

Can I climb with a pulley injury?

Grade I – Pulley Sprain After 4 weeks, you can start easy climbing to regain strength, coordination and body awareness, but don’t push it. At 6 weeks you can begin full climbing to regain full ability. You can wear tape for up to 3 months once you return back to climbing.

How bad is my pulley injury?

Pulley injuries are graded on a scale from Grade I to Grade IV with the worst being Grade IV. They can range from acute to chronic. Sometimes a climber will feel a tweak and here a loud “pop” followed by pain, swelling and maybe limited mobility. The most common pain is localized and worsens when pressure is applied.

How do you know if you have a pulley injury?

The most common signs of finger pulley injuries include:

1. Pain on the palm side of finger and tenderness with pressure.
2. Swelling of the finger.
3. Difficulty forming a fist.
4. Hearing a “pop” at the time of the injury2.

How do you heal an A2 pulley?

Grade 3: Complete A2 or A3 tear/rupture One to two weeks of immobilization with a finger-immobilization splint or a pulley-protection splint, available online. Gentle range-of-motion exercises. H-taping (see below) for six months.

What does the A1 pulley do?

The pulley at the base of the finger is called the “A1 pulley.” This is the pulley that is most often involved in trigger finger. The tendon sheath attaches to the finger bones and keeps the flexor tendon in place as it moves. The A1 pulley is near the opening of the tendon sheath.

Where does a pulley injury hurt?

The most common signs of finger pulley injuries include: Pain on the palm side of finger and tenderness with pressure. Swelling of the finger. Difficulty forming a fist.

Do pulley injuries hurt?

Is the A1 pulley a ligament?

The first annular pulley (A1 pulley), near the head of the metacarpal bone, lies in the flexor groove in the deep transverse metacarpal ligament….

What is A3 pulley?

The A3 pulley is one structure that contributes to the control of gliding resistance at the A2 pulley interface. The role of the A3 pulley and its importance to normal tendon gliding recently has been the subject of debate.

What is a pulley injury?

Pulley injuries are an overuse phenomenon, occurring in rock climbers because of the repetitive, excessive forces placed upon the fingers during the activity, with competitive climbers often placing the stress of their entire body weight upon one or two flexed fingers.

What is a pulley in the hand?

In human anatomy, the annular ligaments of the fingers, often referred to as A pulleys, are the annular part of the fibrous sheathes of the fingers. Four or five such annular pulleys, together with three cruciate pulleys, form a fibro-osseous tunnel on the palmar aspect of the hand through which passes the deep and superficial flexor tendons.