Hand therapist or physician SLC - ring finger pulley or tendon injury

Hi,

3 weeks ago I was crimping hard and heard a loud, sharp cracking pop from between the PIP and DIP knuckles of my right ring finger. Didn't hurt much right off the bat, but has since become more painful during any sort of climbing or even open-handed pulling.

I read a lot of posts in the injury forum. I'm taking a break from climbing, but I'm also ready to see a specialist for therapy. I prefer the MD route -- or someone with a science-based background -- and would like someone with experience treating climbers.

Any referrals for the Salt Lake area? I live in Riverton.

Susan Ozaki, OT at the Orthopedic and Hand Clinic is really amazing.
AND, she's the Bride from the Wedding Arete at the Horn. Totally understands the psychology of wounded climbers.

Hand and Orthopedic Rehab

Thanks tenesmus, appreciate the input. Unfortunately Susan doesn't take my insurance. Anyone else?

Check your provider panel and look for hand therapists. Not sure what you have.

I work at the University Ortho Center, and we have some excellent hand specialists(surgeons) and therapists. Dr andy tyser is probably the most "hip" guy who I would recommend(as far as relating to athletes), and any of the therapists are good. They see climbers all the time, and are familiar with pulley injuries. Check and see if your insurance works at the U. we accept most plans.

ortho

Hopefully you're feeling better! If you want to try something a bit different--and still with a science background--go see a DO! Wth a vareity of manipulative techniques and treatments, in addition to the traditional treatments, a DO might be able to get you back to climbing faster. I messed up an extensor tendon last fall, and one of the DOs I work with worked on it, and I was able to keep climbing, rather than take six months off. Osteopathic manipulative treatments have kept myself and my climbing partners in good shape during school, when we go try and climb like we used to, despite the fact that we haven't climbed in months due to med school.

To find a physician:
ftp.academyofosteopathy.org/

If you're concerned about the fact that this doc isn't an MD, don't be. We're doctors, just like your MD--just with different letters behind our names! We do the same prereqs, take the same licensing exams as MDs, and actually learn more than most MDs do. We're not chiropractors, although we do do some manipulations that are similar. Osteopathy is simply a different way at looking at the same problems--taking the whole patient into account, rather than simply the problem.

Wait. You go to med school and you endorse a DO? Must be a 1st year student as the brainwashing hasn't taken full effect yet.

I am a DO. We go to med school just like the MDs do. :)

zoso wrote:Wait. You go to med school and you endorse a DO? Must be a 1st year student as the brainwashing hasn't taken full effect yet.