Avoiding Knee Injuries While Skiing
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The document outlines common knee injuries sustained while skiing, including acl tears and their associated complications, as well as the causes, treatments, and preventive measures for these injuries. It emphasizes the importance of proper knee braces for protection and rehabilitation, detailing what to look for in a quality brace and general safety tips for skiers. Additionally, it advises injured skiers on the first steps to recovery and the importance of professional guidance when returning to skiing.
Avoiding Knee Injuries While Skiing
- 1. Avoiding Knee Injuries While Skiing Preventing Injury and Maximising Performance on the Slopes
- 2. Avoiding Knee Injuries While Skiing 1. Common knee injuries 2. Causes of knee injuries 3. Treatment (surgery) 4. Protection (bracing) 5. Prevention (safety) 6. Advice for injured skiers
- 3. 1. Common knee injuries • Damage to the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) accounts for the majority of skiing injuries. • This often occurs in conjunction with damage to other knee structures: o Medial Meniscus o Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) • When all three structures are injured, it’s known as the Terrible Triad
- 4. Common knee injuries Other common knee injuries • Cartilage damage • Medial meniscus tear • Lateral meniscus tear • Bone injury • Tibial plateau fracture
- 5. 2. Causes of knee injuries • Extreme weather conditions, high-speed descents and the long lever point on skis combine to place a lot of pressure on skiers’ knees. • Those with an existing weakness in the knee are particularly susceptible to injury, e.g. o a previously sustained ACL tear o an inflamed knee joint resulting from a degenerative disease like osteoarthritis (OA) • Tiredness at the end of the day • Inattention
- 6. 3. Treating knee injuries • Following injury, the first thing to do is follow the RICE regime. Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevate. If you have torn your ACL in combination with another knee injury such as a damaged meniscus, bone bruise or other ligament tear, surgery may be required. If you have torn your ACL in isolation, non-surgical treatment may be adequate once the swelling has subsided.
- 7. Treating knee injuries • Non-surgical treatment involves wearing an ACL knee brace to support the knee and prevent it from sustaining further injury. • Knee bracing is also recommended after surgery to help you recover and return to a performance level close to your original one.
- 8. 4. Protecting knee injuries A knee brace for skiing can: • Stabilise functional deficits • Re-introduce controlling forces to replace deficient structures in the ligaments • Improve anatomical alignment and rehabilitate wasted muscles • Protect ligament repairs • Strengthen musculature • Stabilise joint laxity • Realign and offload unstable joints
- 9. Protecting knee injuries • Warning: a cheap fabric knee support from the chemist will do little more than keep your knee warm. • These are is wholly inadequate without the rigid support and control offered by functional knee bracing. • Look for brands like Ossur (CTi), DonJoy and Medi, whose knee braces provide protection against the unique perils presented by ice, snow and rock. • Good quality knee bracing can help rehabilitate wasted muscles, improve anatomical alignment and even enhance performance over time.
- 10. Protecting knee injuries What to look for in a knee brace for skiing • Firm but lightweight • Torsional control across the knee • Support – to replace loss of control of injured ligament(s) • Close contact and contour – to evenly distribute loading • Adequate accommodation – to effectively allow muscle build • Durability – to absorb high activity impact • Adjustability – for the perfect fit
- 11. 5. Preventing further injury General safety measures • Ensure that your skiing equipment is in good condition • Have your bindings checked regularly • Avoid needlessly high-risk behaviour, e.g. don’t jump unless you know how to land • Routinely correct poor skiing technique, e.g. hips below the knees or arms behind your back • Learn to recognise and respond quickly to potentially dangerous situations Source: Vermont Ski Safety
- 12. 6. Advice for injured skiers 1. RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevate). 2. If it’s a severe or combined knee injury, surgery is recommended. 3. If not, knee braces for skiing may be sufficient. 4. Knee bracing is also recommended after surgery to protect weakened knees. 5. Following treatment (surgical or non-surgical), seek out a professional instructor for your first few sessions back on the slopes. They will be able to advise you on further strategies for avoiding knee injuries while skiing.
- 13. Thank you for taking the time to read this presentation. Brought to you by Technology in Motion, UK premier private orthotic clinics & supplier of quality knee braces Visit www.technologyinmotion.com/knee-bracing or call 0330 100 1800 for more information