How do you diagnose a pulley injury?

Here is a list of potential signs and symptoms:

1. Most commonly occurs over the A2 pulley (ring finger most common)
2. Tenderness to touch along pulley.
3. Swelling, redness and inflammation at the base of the finger.
4. Stiffness and/or pain with bending the fingers.
5. Painful to actively crimp and grip.

How do you treat a pulley injury?

Solution. 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 causes Bowstringing?

Bowstringing is a rare complication of trigger finger release caused by excessive loss of the proximal pulleys. As the flexor tendon moves away from the center of rotation of the metacarpophalangeal joint, the flexion moment arm is increased.

Are pulleys tendons?

The pulley system is made of thickened areas of the flexor tendon sheath and plays an important role in: flexion, accurate tracking of tendons, maintaining apposition of tendons and bones across joints, and provides fulcrum to elicit movement (flexion and extension)

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 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.

What is pulley in physiotherapy?

These pulleys hang over the door and are used to provide gentle, passive ROM to your shoulder. Shoulder pulleys are used in many physical therapy clinics, and you may wish to purchase your own shoulder pulleys so you can perform shoulder ROM exercises at home.

Can Bowstringing be fixed?

Complete tears resulting in bowstringing are treated by surgical reconstruction of the damaged pulley using a free piece of expendable tendon (called a graft) harvested from the wrist. The tendon graft is wrapped 2 to 3 times around the tendon and bone at the sight of the injured pulley to make a new one.

Is the A2 pulley a tendon?

It is important to note that the A2 pulley holds both the FDS and FDP tendon, which is partly why it experiences greater forces than the A4 pulley.

Is the A1 pulley a tendon?

Along the tendon sheath, bands of tissue called “pulleys” hold the flexor tendons closely to the finger bones. The tendons pass through the pulleys as the finger moves. 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.

How do you rehab a finger pulley?

Use all four fingers, gently pull on the edge just to the point of feeling pain over the pulley. Now back the pressure off until no pain or only very mild pain is felt, this is where you will do the hold. Pull for 5 seconds, 5 reps. Now pull with three fingers (index, middle, ring).

Can I do pull ups with a pulley injury?

Obviously you must avoid any stressful finger training during the recovery period; however, it is beneficial to gradually introduce some basic activity that may aid in healing. Exercises such as pull-ups, reverse wrist curls, and squeezing a rubber donut or power-puddy are all good as long as they do not cause pain.