With the emphasis on speed and daring, many winter sports are high-risk affairs.
The American Association of Neurologic Surgeons (AANS) estimates that over 4,000 significant head and neck injuries will result from winter sports accidents this season (2008).
What are the common Winter sports-related injuries? And what injuries do you commonly treat?
Skiing – knee injuries, head/spine
Snowboarding – wrist injuries, head/spine
Sledding – head/spine
General precautions for all winter sports:
HELMETS: Use Helmets for Head Protection: Helmets should be sports-specific. It is not advised to use a bicycle helmet, for example, as head protection for skiing or sledding.
· WARM-UP: Cold muscles, tendons and ligaments are vulnerable to injury. Warm up thoroughly before playing your chosen winter sport.
· BE AWARE OF CONDITIONS: snow type, poor lighting, cold and hypothermia.
· STOP WHEN FATIGUED: your muscles are unable to protect joints when fatigued so more injuries are likely to occur.
Sport-specific advice:
Snowboarding and Skiing
You want to start the season in good condition. It is important to make sure your core, hips, legs are strong to help protect from injury. Programs available for injury prevention.
Inspect equipment and ensure it fits properly and bindings are adjusted.
Follow all Posted Warning Signs –In this era of “extreme” sports, many weekend warriors get carried away when on the slopes or on the ice. This includes skiing “out of bounds,” or beyond the marked territory of a mountain,
Terrain parks are bad
Wrist guards for snowboarders
Sledding and tubing
Never Go Down a Slope Head First
Make sure there are no rocks or trees in the path
Sleds that can be steered are better
No jumps
Obviously, knee injuries are too prevalent. Specifically, what type of knee injuries do you see and treat the most? What’s the recovery process like for those people?
Jordan Valley Medical Center1-866-431-WELL (9355)
jordanvalleymc.com
