In reply to Mick Ryan - UKClimbing.com:
Try telling that to my fingers -- and I'm not a particularly hard or regular climber.
I wonder over what age ranges and duration of climbers careers the study took place?
As soon as I do anything remotely crimpy, the joints are in pain for days afterwards. It puts a stop to any regular climbing or training. Glucosamine appears to help - but not significantly.
A family history of arthritis is probably the main cause. Climbing merely aggravates the condition.