Trends and Management of Upper Extremity Complaints in Rock Climbing Athletes

This presentation will be focused on discussing the trends and management of upper extremity rock climbing related injuries as physical therapists. Rock climbing has seen tremendous growth in popularity and participation over the last decade. From the rise and development of youth competition teams, to the boom in local climbing gym development, and now as an Olympic sport. Rock climbing requires a very unique set of physical characteristics and attributes that is ever changing and can result in very unique sport specific injuries. This presentation will highlight those sport specific injuries, cover climbing specific assessment strategies, discuss climbing specific interventions, as well as provide some insight for physical therapists who are interested in working closer with this population of athletes and individuals.

Dr. AJ Sobrilsky is a Physical Therapist at Excel Physical Therapy in Bozeman, MT. He is a graduate of Carroll University DPT program and completed an EIM Orthopedic residency. Since completion of his residency he has spent his clinical time focusing on the management of the “Mountain Athlete”. He has focused on working with climbing athletes, as well as coaching climbers, and serves as faculty for climbing related continuing education courses. When he’s not climbing he can be found: mountain biking, downhill and cross country skiing, trail running, and gravel biking with his wife.