SKI RACING INJURIES
Though changes in modern ski equipment and improvements in the slope design and maintenance this has all contributed to a decline in injuries. Although there are still a significant number of skiing injuries. While fractures were more common prior to these equipment changes, it is now more common to see injuries to the ligaments of the knee.
Although skiing has a reputation as a dangerous sport, research has shown that general skiing injury rates have reduced by 50% over the last fifteen years. Research suggests that younger, lighter and less experienced skiers have a higher risk of injury. Beginners are thought to be 33% more likely to be injured than the more experienced skier, and women are more likely to sustain knee injuries whilst men are more likely to injure their head or shoulder.
Although skiing has a reputation as a dangerous sport, research has shown that general skiing injury rates have reduced by 50% over the last fifteen years. Research suggests that younger, lighter and less experienced skiers have a higher risk of injury. Beginners are thought to be 33% more likely to be injured than the more experienced skier, and women are more likely to sustain knee injuries whilst men are more likely to injure their head or shoulder.
TIBIA & FIBULA FRACTURE
Boot-top Fractures- This is a hard tissue injury and a direct injury-
In ski racing the bones that are most likely to break are the tibia and fibula in the leg - the so-called boot-top fracture. If the boot is rigidly fixed to the ski and the binding does not release, both bones will snap just above the boot-top if enough force is applied. This serious injury leaves the leg unstable because both bones are broken. A boot-top fracture is usually an Oblique fracture. This type of fracture has an angled pattern and is typically unstable. If an oblique fracture is initially stable or minimally displaced, over time it can become more out of place. This is especially true if the fibula is not broken. |
MEDIAL COLLATERAL LIGAMENT (MCL)
MCL- this is a soft tissue and direct injury-
The most common injury to the knee is damage to the medial collateral ligament (MCL) which runs on the outer side of the knee. This injury occurs with slow twisting falls or when beginners maintain a snowplow position for lengthy periods and stress the ligament. Knee injuries account for about 40% of all skiing injuries. Twisting the knee while ski racing can lead to an MCL sprain or torn ligament, this is the most common of all knee injuries. It usually occurs in the snow plow position of when skating out of a start gate at the top of a race course, and results from excessive force applied to the knee joint from a fall, the skis crossing, or the stance widening. |
CLAVICLE FRACTURE (COLLAR BONE)
Collar bone- this is a hard tissue and direct injury-
Clavicle fractures are often caused by a direct blow to the shoulder. This can happen during a fall onto the shoulder. The collar bone (clavicle) is the most commonly fractured bone in the entire body! It is also the commonest fracture of the shoulder joint seen in ski racers and the most common upper body limb fracture in skiers. They usually result from the transmission of force in a fall up the arm which is absorbed in the collar bone which finally breaks as a result. The bone can be divided into three segments - inner, middle and outer. Fractures usually occur at the weakest point of the bone, which is the junction of the middle and outer thirds. |
ULNAR COLLATERAL LIGAMENT (UCL)
Skiers Thumb ligament- this is a soft tissue and direct injury-
Injury to the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb is second in frequency only to MCL injuries of the knee. These injuries occur when a skier falls on an outstretched arm that is still gripping the pole which then places a bending stress to the thumb.. The thumb is suddenly pulled outward, injuring this joint. Skier's thumb is the most common upper extremity injury. It's actually a UCL injury that occurs to the stabilizing ligaments on the sides of the joints, and it's the inside of the ulnar collateral ligament that is most commonly injured. |