Ski and Snowboarding Injuries



Ski and Snowboard Injuries


Winter is finally here! And with the accumulating snow, comes the ski and snowboard season. Unfortunately, each year, more and more people are getting injured on the slopes, with injuries varying from mild to severe. Common injuries include head, wrist, back, neck, knee, ankle and shoulder trauma.


The most common ski injury is a knee injury.  These occur often by twisting in a way that the knee is no designed to move.  This can lead to sprains, strains, tears, and ligament and meniscus damage.  Make sure you always go on warm up runs to get your body prepared for the more intense skiing.  Also, make sure you do not work yourself to the point of exhaustion.  Take breaks often if you are tired or it is early season, as fatigue of muscles greatly increases your chance of having a knee injury.

The most common snowboard injury is a wrist injury caused by the Falling On Out Stretched Hand (FOOSH injury).  These typically include fractures, sprains, strains, as well as dislocations.  The best way to avoid these injuries is to wear wrist guards, and specifically the ones that provide support on both the top and bottom of the wrist. Also, if you are just learning to snowboard, make sure you are not starting on icy days, but wait for the fresh snow days to make sure your butt and wrists have a little more padding from the snow! 


Other injuries such as head injuries include cuts and scrapes, concussions and the more serious skull fractures. They occur in 10-20% of ski and snowboarding injuries. They can occur during collisions with other riders, falls onto hard packed surfaces, tumbles at high speeds or even mishaps with the chair lifts, t-bars, etc. Treatment varies based on the severity of the injury.


Extremity injuries involving wrists, ankles and shoulders are also very common on the slopes. They can also vary in intensity and range from sprain/strains, dislocations to fractures. Wearing a brace and receiving chiropractic care is an easy and efficient fix to most of these extremity injuries. Ensuring the injured joint is in proper alignment with allow for a more rapid healing process with a smaller occurrence of a recurring injury.


Less common but severe injuries on the slopes include spinal injuries. They typically occur following a significant trauma or fall and can have serious consequences.  It is possible and we have seen people misalign, sprain/strain, dislocate, and even fracture vertebrae during falls on the ski hill.  It is very important to get checked out by your chiropractor with any spinal injury right away!


If you’ve been injured on the slopes, don’t let your injury hold you back for the remainder of the season. Visit Gallatin Valley Chiropractic and get the care you need to get you back on track! Call us today at (406) 551-2177.


Call us: 406-551-2177

Schedule online at: https://appointments.mychirotouch.com/?clinic=GVCL0001


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