
Winter sports injuries are very common, with an average of 246,000 people treated at emergency rooms, hospitals, and doctors’ offices every year for injuries related to winter sports (U.S. CPSC). More than half of the injuries result from snow skiing and snowboarding.
This figure includes:
Typical winter sports injuries include sprains, strains, dislocations, and fractures. Often these occur at the end of an action-packed day when we overexert ourselves to get in that last run. The most common skiing and snowboarding injuries are wrists, knee, back, shoulder, ankle sprains, and fractures. In fact, a fracture of the Talus bone, located above the heel bone on the outside of the ankle, is so common that it is known as “snowboarder’s ankle.”
How to Prevent Winter Sports Injuries
First, and importantly, make sure that you are ready to hit the slopes or ice. If you are not a regular exerciser, or if you are a “weekend warrior,” begin winter sports gradually and cautiously. Do lots of stretching and try foot, ankle and knee strengthening exercises to prepare for what can be strenuous activities.
Other ways to avoid winter sports injuries include:
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Please come to see us right away if you have injured your back, shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, hip, foot or ankle. Quick and professional treatment is essential for long–term healing.