As we head into the holidays and look forward to snowfall in the mountains, it is exciting for many of us to think about hitting the slopes. Snow skiing is a great winter activity that gets us outdoors and keeps us fit. However, as orthopedic physicians, we see a large number of patients with knee injuries in our offices, ranging from medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprains to more serious meniscus or ACL tears. Here are a few tips to help avoid knee injuries in the upcoming months:
- Get in shape beforehand. If you aren’t participating in routine exercise currently, you may notice that you lack the endurance and strength in your legs and torso to be a steady skier. Thus, consider some type of exercise program to get your quadriceps, hamstrings, and hip musculature stronger, so that you can tackle the slopes with confidence.
- Be aware of your conditions and surroundings. When it’s very icy or the visibility is poor, skiers should be extra careful because situations that appear safe may prove to be dangerous. Even experienced skiers can get into trouble when they hit a patch of ice going at high speed. Also, be aware of out-of-control skiers/snowboarders around you or overly aggressive skiers/snowboarders who could collide into you and cause bodily harm.
- Think twice about going on that last run of the day. We often see patients who get injured on their last run of the day. As noted above, visibility may be less than ideal towards the end of the day. Furthermore, we know that muscle fatigue increases the chance that a standard twist or turn on a knee can result in a fall or more serious knee injury, such as an ACL tear or meniscal tear. So, be sure to be extra careful on that final run and consider skiing more conservatively than usual to avoid unwanted injuries.
Good luck and happy skiing to all!
Dr. Fredrick S. Huang
Proliance Orthopedic Associates