Common Injuries
Knee sprains are very common injuries on the mountain. You may experience a sprain after a hard fall while skiing. The knees are actually most affected by ski injuries, more than any other body part. If you have had previous knee injuries, wearing a brace might be your most important piece of equipment (besides your skis).
MCL (medial collateral ligament) tears are very common with a day on the mountain. In fact, MCL tears are currently the most common injury that occurs from skiing. The MCL can tear in any skier, though this injury is more common in beginner and intermediate skiers. This is because the MCL can tear during a “snowplow stop,” when the tips of your skis are pointing toward each other when the skier tries to stop, but falls instead. More advanced skiers do not stop with their skis pointed toward each other, hence the lower risk of injury. You can prevent an MCL tear by staying on terrain that is comfortable for your ability level. Also, when you’re in the snowplow stop position, make sure your weight is balanced.
ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tears are also common ski injuries. ACL tears can happen when you go off a jump and land with bad form. Essentially, if you land with your weight back, the force from the impact can tear your ACL. Learning to jump, land, and fall properly can help you avoid an ACL injury.
Take care of yourself this ski season and set yourself up for a fun, successful day on the slopes. If you have other questions about ski injuries, give us a call to schedule a consultation.
