As winter approaches, many of us wait enthusiastically so that we can grab our skis, snowboards, and other gear. The idea of playing winter sports sounds fascinating as one loves to glide, slide and ski on slopes. But it’s equally essential to stay safe from winter injuries.
Thrilling winter sports can be tempting but without adequate safety precautions, the risk of injuries increases.
If you want to have an adventurous yet safe sporty time in winters, you should know what those injuries are and how to stay away from them.
Let’s explore all about winter sports injuries and how to prevent them.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injuries
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries are knee injuries associated with skiing. These injuries happen due to the twisting of the knee as a sudden change in motion or direction might lead to a sprain.
Wearing old or poorly maintained ski boots or bindings increases the risk of a knee injury.
ACL injuries can be prevented by ensuring that the bindings are adjusted and professionally serviced every year. You can also wear knee support for an enhanced level of resistance.
ACL can be diagnosed through MRI scans and can be treated through surgery. However, you can consult the Seaview Orthopedic Holmdel NJ has to offer just to be sure if knee surgery is the last resort.
Snowboarder’s Ankle
The fracture of the Talus bone is a high-intensity ankle sprain that may occur during snowboarding. The diagnosis of Talus fractures can be tricky and involve a range of imaging tests to give proper treatment.
To prevent yourself from getting a snowboarder’s ankle, you should use a wobble board to increase balance. Besides, wear an ankle brace along with specialized shoes that provide extra support to the ankle and reduce the risks of injury.
Skier’s Thumb
Skier’s thumb is one of the most common limb injuries. The Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) at the thumb’s base is damaged when a skier falls holding a ski pole which causes an injury as the thumb tends to overstretch.
Skier’s thumb can be painful. Therefore, you can use a thumb stabilizer to protect the UCL to avoid injury.
Wrist Fractures
If you’re a beginner in snowboarding, you’ll observe that it’s not uncommon for snowboarders to experience wrist fractures. That’s because they tend to stretch out their hands to prevent a fall. Due to this unintentional response to fall, snowboarders are prone to get wrist fractures. That’s why you should wear a wrist guard to avoid such fractures.
Head And Spine Injuries
In rare cases, skiers might experience head and spine injuries due to a fall. These injuries can be serious as the spinal column is important for mobility.
Therefore, wear a helmet to protect your head or neck from getting a strain. Doing this will also protect you from experiencing Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Spinal Cord Injury (SCI).
The Takeaway
Now that you’re aware of how traumatizing a winter sports injury can be and how to prevent it, sometimes it’s just not possible to control an injury. While playing a winter sport, many incidents are likely to occur that might cause sprain or strain on your muscles and bones.
You should be extra cautious and get immediate medical attention in case of experiencing any injury that causes discomfort during sports activities.
If an injury occurs, seeking medical help is mandatory to avoid any disability or other possible traumas.
