The Winter Series 2017-2018 Snow Season

Ski and Snowboarding Injuries

This time of year in the northern hemisphere is peak ski and snowboarding season where a large population of beginners, intermediate, and advanced riders head to the mountains to enjoy the winter snow delights. For myself that means I see a substantial increase in certain types of injuries.

Skiing and snowboarding can result in significant injuries, they also tend to result from different injury patterns. Skiers most frequently report injuries to their knees, usually from a twisting motion during a fall, whereas snowboarders report a greater percentage of upper extremity injuries as a result of falling onto an outstretched arm. Over the coming weeks I will review the most common injuries, how they occur, treatment, and ways to prevent them to maximise enjoyment on the mountains.

The most common injuries:

  • Knees Injuries: ACL, MCL, PCL and Meniscal injuries
  • Tibial Plateau fractures
  • Shoulder Injuries: Shoulder dislocation, fractured clavicle (collar bone), rotator cuff tear, Acromioclavicular tear or separation.
  • Hand: Skiers thumb, wrist sprains and fractures
  • Back: Low back pain, disc herniations
  • Ankle: Lateral process of the talus fractures
  • Head injuries: Concussion and Whiplash

Soon to come will be: ACL, MCL, and PCL injuries, their mechanism, how to treat them, and ways to prevent them from occurring in the first place.

Cheers, The Nomadic Physio

p.s. Photo sourced from https://www.instagram.com/jerryoftheday/
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