Uploaded November 2021 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
☝️ FREE FINGER INJURY SELF-ASSESSMENT: hoopersbeta.com/finger-tool
🩹 $19/MO SCIENCE-BACKED INJURY RECOVERY PROGRAMS: hoopersbeta.com/recoveryblueprint
Links to website, social media, t-shirts, and more: https://linktr.ee/hoopersbeta
// MORE INFO //
For more content like this as well as in-depth blog writeups and links to research articles, go here: hoopersbeta.com
// PRIVATE PT CONSULTS //
Want an in-person or e-consult with Jason? Go here: hoopersbeta.com/private-sessions
// MEMBERSHIPS //
Join the HB fam to get access to various perks, like priority comment responses:
youtube.com/channel/UCsqZk5V2d44TNLRFSI5aVfg/join
// SHOP & SUPPORT (affiliate links - not sponsored) //
- Hooper's Beta T-Shirts: teespring.com/stores/hoopersbeta
- Resistance Bands: amzn.to/3mRUwFX
- Crane Scale: amzn.to/3wuLDrp
- Lacrosse/Massage Ball: amzn.to/3hot8OD
- Stainless Steel Massage Tool (or just use a butter knife): amzn.to/2L5F1xa
- Adjustable Dumbbells (pricey but useful!): amzn.to/38FPG9Q
- Emile's Favorite Climbing Shoes: amzn.to/3hpC1Yq
- Jason's Favorite Climbing Shoes: amzn.to/2WS8QE0
- Our Favorite Chalk: amzn.to/3pqTa6T
- MFD/Cupping - 24-Cup Set: amzn.to/3dAT9ZN
- BOSU Balance Trainer: amzn.to/3ttN88F
- Body Blade: amzn.to/3yY1dwb
// TIMESTAMPS //
00:00 Intro and Video Overview
00:52 Part 1: Ankle Anatomy and Mechanism of Injury
03:14 Part 2: Ankle Injury Risk Factors
05:15 Part 3: Differential Diagnosis: Ruling Out an Avulsion Injury
06:51 Part 4: Testing Sprain Severity
09:59 Part 5: Basic Rehab
11:19 Part 6: Balance Rehab
13:26: Part 7: Strength Rehab
14:41 Part 8: Return-to-Sport Training
15:42 Part 9: Prognosis
16:12 Outro and Bloopers
// SHOW NOTES //
Episode 95
INTRODUCTION
To all the struggling ankles out there: you didn’t deserve to land on the edge of that giant pad stack, you couldn’t have known that rock on the trail was loose, and you can’t be blamed for forgetting how to walk correctly when loaded down with climbing gear. My dearest ankles: this one’s for you!
Lower extremity injuries account for ~25% of all injuries reported by climbers, and ankle injuries make up nearly 50% of those reported! So you could say this video is a bit overdue. For that reason we’re going to cover some common causes of lateral and medial ankle injuries for climbers, a bit of testing to determine how severe an injury is, and finally how to get those ankles strong again!
Note: we will not be covering a syndesmotic aka high ankle sprain in this video.
WHY ANKLE INJURIES NEED REHAB
When we suffer an ankle injury we typically lose proprioception, muscular strength AND ligamentous stability! These are things that don’t always just magically heal; we need to do specific rehab activities to get back to full function. So let’s break down those terms real quick.
Proprioception is the awareness of the position or movement of the body. Research has shown that proprioception is decreased in those suffering instability after an ankle sprain. The ankle is a complicated joint and must move through many extremes while climbing. Losing awareness can lead to decreased function and performance of that unit while climbing.
A reduction in strength after an ankle injury is also shown in research and is related to prolonged feelings of instability. This strength reduction may be related to being immobilized (such as with casting or bracing), from purely resting the injured ankle, or simply from injuring the muscle with the initial injury.
Finally, when you sprain your ankle, you’re typically injuring one or more ligaments by overstretching them. That injured ligament is now not as strong and taut, meaning it has excessive mobility which will create excess mobility of the joint it supports. When an injured ligament starts to repair itself, it replaces strong, dense type I collagen with looser type III collagen. Without proper retraining, the ligament will retain that higher percentage of type III collagen, meaning the ligament will remain looser and the joint will remain hypermobile. This may set you up for a future repeat injury if you don’t properly retrain the tissue.
Ran out of room!! For the rest, please check out the show notes:
hoopersbeta.com/library/how-to-heal-ankle-injury-back-to-100-climbing
// DISCLAIMER //
As always, exercises and rehab programs are to be performed assuming your own risk and should not be done if you feel you are at risk for injury. See a medical professional if you have concerns before starting a new training or recovery program.
// IMAGE ATTRIBUTIONS //
// PRODUCERS //
Jason Hooper (PT, DPT, OCS, SCS)
and
Emile Modesitt (@emile166)
// FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @hoopersbetaofficial //
instagram.com/hoopersbetaofficial
#trainclimbsendrepeat #climbingtraining #physicaltherapy
☝️ FREE FINGER INJURY SELF-ASSESSMENT: hoopersbeta.com/finger-tool
🩹 $19/MO SCIENCE-BACKED INJURY RECOVERY PROGRAMS: hoopersbeta.com/recoveryblueprint
Links to website, social media, t-shirts, and more: https://linktr.ee/hoopersbeta
// MORE INFO //
For more content like this as well as in-depth blog writeups and links to research articles, go here: hoopersbeta.com
// PRIVATE PT CONSULTS //
Want an in-person or e-consult with Jason? Go here: hoopersbeta.com/private-sessions
// MEMBERSHIPS //
Join the HB fam to get access to various perks, like priority comment responses:
youtube.com/channel/UCsqZk5V2d44TNLRFSI5aVfg/join
// SHOP & SUPPORT (affiliate links - not sponsored) //
- Hooper's Beta T-Shirts: teespring.com/stores/hoopersbeta
- Resistance Bands: amzn.to/3mRUwFX
- Crane Scale: amzn.to/3wuLDrp
- Lacrosse/Massage Ball: amzn.to/3hot8OD
- Stainless Steel Massage Tool (or just use a butter knife): amzn.to/2L5F1xa
- Adjustable Dumbbells (pricey but useful!): amzn.to/38FPG9Q
- Emile's Favorite Climbing Shoes: amzn.to/3hpC1Yq
- Jason's Favorite Climbing Shoes: amzn.to/2WS8QE0
- Our Favorite Chalk: amzn.to/3pqTa6T
- MFD/Cupping - 24-Cup Set: amzn.to/3dAT9ZN
- BOSU Balance Trainer: amzn.to/3ttN88F
- Body Blade: amzn.to/3yY1dwb
// TIMESTAMPS //
00:00 Intro and Video Overview
00:52 Part 1: Ankle Anatomy and Mechanism of Injury
03:14 Part 2: Ankle Injury Risk Factors
05:15 Part 3: Differential Diagnosis: Ruling Out an Avulsion Injury
06:51 Part 4: Testing Sprain Severity
09:59 Part 5: Basic Rehab
11:19 Part 6: Balance Rehab
13:26: Part 7: Strength Rehab
14:41 Part 8: Return-to-Sport Training
15:42 Part 9: Prognosis
16:12 Outro and Bloopers
// SHOW NOTES //
Episode 95
INTRODUCTION
To all the struggling ankles out there: you didn’t deserve to land on the edge of that giant pad stack, you couldn’t have known that rock on the trail was loose, and you can’t be blamed for forgetting how to walk correctly when loaded down with climbing gear. My dearest ankles: this one’s for you!
Lower extremity injuries account for ~25% of all injuries reported by climbers, and ankle injuries make up nearly 50% of those reported! So you could say this video is a bit overdue. For that reason we’re going to cover some common causes of lateral and medial ankle injuries for climbers, a bit of testing to determine how severe an injury is, and finally how to get those ankles strong again!
Note: we will not be covering a syndesmotic aka high ankle sprain in this video.
WHY ANKLE INJURIES NEED REHAB
When we suffer an ankle injury we typically lose proprioception, muscular strength AND ligamentous stability! These are things that don’t always just magically heal; we need to do specific rehab activities to get back to full function. So let’s break down those terms real quick.
Proprioception is the awareness of the position or movement of the body. Research has shown that proprioception is decreased in those suffering instability after an ankle sprain. The ankle is a complicated joint and must move through many extremes while climbing. Losing awareness can lead to decreased function and performance of that unit while climbing.
A reduction in strength after an ankle injury is also shown in research and is related to prolonged feelings of instability. This strength reduction may be related to being immobilized (such as with casting or bracing), from purely resting the injured ankle, or simply from injuring the muscle with the initial injury.
Finally, when you sprain your ankle, you’re typically injuring one or more ligaments by overstretching them. That injured ligament is now not as strong and taut, meaning it has excessive mobility which will create excess mobility of the joint it supports. When an injured ligament starts to repair itself, it replaces strong, dense type I collagen with looser type III collagen. Without proper retraining, the ligament will retain that higher percentage of type III collagen, meaning the ligament will remain looser and the joint will remain hypermobile. This may set you up for a future repeat injury if you don’t properly retrain the tissue.
Ran out of room!! For the rest, please check out the show notes:
hoopersbeta.com/library/how-to-heal-ankle-injury-back-to-100-climbing
// DISCLAIMER //
As always, exercises and rehab programs are to be performed assuming your own risk and should not be done if you feel you are at risk for injury. See a medical professional if you have concerns before starting a new training or recovery program.
// IMAGE ATTRIBUTIONS //
// PRODUCERS //
Jason Hooper (PT, DPT, OCS, SCS)
and
Emile Modesitt (@emile166)
// FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @hoopersbetaofficial //
instagram.com/hoopersbetaofficial
#trainclimbsendrepeat #climbingtraining #physicaltherapy

![How to Fix Anterior Knee Pain for Rock Climbers (Front Knee Pain)
☝️ FREE FINGER INJURY SELF-ASSESSMENT: https://www.hoopersbeta.com/finger-tool
🩹 $19/MO SCIENCE-BACKED INJURY RECOVERY PROGRAMS: https://www.hoopersbeta.com/recoveryblueprint
#kneepain #climbinginjury #kneerehab
Links to website, social media, t-shirts, and more: https://linktr.ee/hoopersbeta
// MORE INFO //
For more content like this as well as in-depth blog writeups and links to research articles, go here: https://www.hoopersbeta.com/
// PRIVATE PT CONSULTS //
Want an in-person or e-consult with Jason? Go here: https://www.hoopersbeta.com/private-sessions
// MEMBERSHIPS //
Join the HB fam to get access to various perks, like priority comment responses:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsqZk5V2d44TNLRFSI5aVfg/join
// SHOP & SUPPORT (affiliate links - not sponsored) //
- Hoopers Beta T-Shirts: https://teespring.com/stores/hoopersbeta
- Resistance Bands: https://amzn.to/3mRUwFX
- Crane Scale: https://amzn.to/3wuLDrp
- Lacrosse/Massage Ball: https://amzn.to/3hot8OD
- Stainless Steel Massage Tool (or just use a butter knife): https://amzn.to/2L5F1xa
- Adjustable Dumbbells (pricey but useful!): https://amzn.to/38FPG9Q
- Emiles Favorite Climbing Shoes: https://amzn.to/3hpC1Yq
- Jasons Favorite Climbing Shoes: https://amzn.to/2WS8QE0
- Our Favorite Chalk: https://amzn.to/3pqTa6T
- MFD/Cupping - 24-Cup Set: https://amzn.to/3dAT9ZN
// TIMESTAMPS //
Intro (00:00)
Important Context (00:24)
Part 1: Causes of Anterior Knee Pain (01:11)
Reason #5 (01:20)
Reason #4 (01:50)
Reason #3 (02:23)
Reason #2 (02:54)
Reason #1 (03:33)
Part 2: Strength and Mobility Tests (04:16)
Mobility Test (04:33)
Strength Test (05:00)
Strength + Mobility Test (06:31)
Part 3: Fixing Anterior Knee Pain (07:23)
Fix #1 (07:38)
Fix #2 (08:09)
Fix #3 (08:45)
Fix #3a (08:56)
Fix #3b (09:28)
Fix #3c (10:07)
Fix #3d (10:50)
Final Thoughts and Outro (11:22)
// SHOW NOTES //
Episode 89
INTRODUCTION
Do you force yourself to downclimb everything because jumping makes you cringe? Does the thought of a deep drop knee give you nightmares? Do long hikes to the crag leave you walking like Hank Hill’s dad? If you’ve been experiencing frequent pain right around [zoom into knee] here, then you KNEED to check out this video!!
In this episode, we’re talking about the causes, tests, and solutions for anterior knee pain, so you can stop asking your friends to carry your heavy crashpad for you and start hiking, climbing, and jumping like a true kneesovertoesguy fanboy.
AN IMPORTANT NOTE
Before we begin, I need to make one thing clear: the causes of anterior knee pain range wildly, making an exact diagnosis difficult to impossible without evaluation from a professional. As such, this video is not meant to diagnosis a specific pathology, but rather to first explain the most common biomechanical and behavioral causes of anterior knee pain for climbers, then to demonstrate functional mobility and strength tests so you can narrow things down a bit, and finally to provide a set of exercises to help mitigate the issues highlighted by those tests. If you have or suspect a more severe issue like patellofemoral pain syndrome, instability of the patella, or even a big word diagnosis like Chondromalacia Patellae, then please get help from a skilled provider.
PART 1: CAUSES OF ANTERIOR KNEE PAIN
Biomechanical Causes
Anatomical and/or biomechanical causes of anterior knee pain include: limited range of motion, low or untrained tolerance to high loads placed on the knee, imbalances in the strength of the hamstrings vs the quads, and finally imbalances and/or weakness in the foot/ankle as well as the hips. Let’s start with the slightly less common ones and work up to the most common and thus most important.
Ran out of room!! For the rest, please check out the show notes:
https://www.hoopersbeta.com/library/why-does-the-front-of-my-knee-hurt-how-to-fix-anterior-knee-pain
// DISCLAIMER //
As always, exercises and rehab programs are to be performed assuming your own risk and should not be done if you feel you are at risk for injury. See a medical professional if you have concerns before starting a new training or recovery program.
// IMAGE ATTRIBUTIONS //
Crowded Gym: https://felixwong.com/2017/06/farewell-to-inner-strength-my-favorite-indoor-rock-gym/
Glutes: BodyParts3D/Anatomography, CC BY-SA 2.1 JP https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.1/jp/deed.en, via Wikimedia Commons
Knee Anatomy: BruceBlaus. When using this image in external sources it can be cited as:Blausen.com staff (2014). Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014. WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 2002-4436., CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
// PRODUCERS //
Jason Hooper (PT, DPT, OCS, SCS)
and
Emile Modesitt (@emile166)
// FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @hoopersbetaofficial //
https://www.instagram.com/hoopersbetaofficial/
#trainclimbsendrepeat #climbingtraining #physicaltherapy How to Fix Anterior Knee Pain for Rock Climbers (Front Knee Pain)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/DGlYW2gRjl8/mqdefault.jpg)








