.....and I will attempt to answer them.
To help me answer your questions please provide as much info as possible: exact location of the problem, how it started, what activities/movements make it worse, etc.
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info@bristolbackpain.co.uk

I have chronic swelling of the PIP joints mainly in the ring finger. It is hard to make a fist and to fully extend fingers. I have tried cold treatment and friction massage regularly as well as glucosamine, Chondroitin and anti-inflammitories. I also regularly do gentle strethching of the joint in both directions. Pain mainly on the side of finger farthest from the thumb but general pain in the joint and sore to touch the knuckle of the joint. This problem has been getting gradually worse for several years so I am guessing it is joint and tendon sheath inflammation and maybe some joint degeneration also. Any thoughts you have on other things I could try to do to improve the problem would be appreciated

All the best

Will

I'm still waiting for a response.................

Hi Will
It sounds like you have the early signs of osteoarthritis (OA) in your finger joint. The loss of movement at the end ranges (flexion and extension) of your proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP) indicates the body is attempting to restabilise the joint by laying down bone. It is likely that there has been some ligament disruption in the past - this places more stresses on all the associated anatomy (ligaments, tendon, joint capsule) accounting for your pain and gradual loss of movement.
An xray would help confirm this.

Treatment is limited for OA. The supplements you mention you are taken are unproven. In general I am skeptical that they can offer you much if you are eating a reasonable diet.
As mentioned your body is trying to restabilise the joint, here you can help by limiting full range of motion and reinjury when climbing by taping across the joint.
It is a good idea to continue the gentle stretching of the joint to help guide healing.
I hope that helps,
Harry

Well if this is the diagnosis which I'm still unsure of then it seems to be quite common amongst climbers as I know many with a very similar problem. I'm not sure it is laying down of bone and not just inflammation as stretching returns a full range of movement. I will get an X-Ray done to get confirmation.

Hi Will
I can only offer guidance on this forum. Please feel free to ask me or one of the other practitioners at the TCA, where we can take a look and give you a more accurate opinion.
Harry

About 3 weeks ago i was climbing at TCA holding a small crimp when me feet came off and i felt what i thought was just a click in my left ring finger. I came off the route and there was a sharp pain to curl up my left ring finger and also to crimp. When i press just above the A1 pulley there is only a slight pain. However there does seem to be a bit of a lump on the underside of my finger just above the second joint which doesn't seem to be on my right ring finger I could not see any swelling so didn't think it could be that bad. I only climbed a few times since then on very easy things and tapped my finger up well. I have started to massage it and that has reduced the pain when curling and crimping it but the lump is still there and there is still a slight pain when curling and crimping.
Cheers
Jack

Hi Jack
It sounds like you have ruptured (or part-ruptured) one of your annular or ‘A’ pulleys. The click you heard was the sound of the rupture and the pain you have is a result of the swelling around the injured tissue.
This is a very common climbing injury (as you know). My advice would be this:

1. Stop climbing until the pain has subsided, or for at least 3 weeks. In the early stages of injury, there is a real risk of reinjury resulting in scar tissue formation and/or progression to full rupture - so take a couple of weeks off.

2. The average healing time for this type of injury is 6 -10 weeks so return to climbing gradually and reduce loading by budding taping your finger to your middle finger. Stick to good foot holds and minimize crimping up until the 10 weeks.

3. This is a difficult injury to treat, the most important thing is to reduce the chance of reinjury and then guide healing with gentle stretching of your fingers into extension on a daily basis and then a gradual return to activity as described above.

Good luck

Thanks for the speedy reply Harry. I will take things easy for a bit.