When it comes to various types of athletic injuries, winter sports injuries account for a sizable proportion. Recent statistics suggest that nearly 4 million of these occur each year in the U.S. involving a variety of activities. Common hockey injuries are well publicized, especially among players in the NHL. But winter sports injuries also affect skiers, snowboarders, and others. And many of these injuries can be quite serious, creating significant disability in some instances. The combination of slipperiness, hardness, and unpredictability naturally make ice and snow more challenging with which to deal. But with a bit of preparation and insight, many winter sports injuries can be avoided. With that in mind, here are the 7 most common ones to know.
- Concussions – In the U.S. alone, there are over 23,000 concussions a year resulting from winter sports injuries. In addition, a third of these involve children and adolescents. Concussions are also noteworthy because they are a leading cause of death among skiers and snow boarders. And those related to common hockey injuries have been well publicized as of late. For all of these reasons, wearing a protective helmet is important as is taking some precautions on the snow and ice. Likewise, knowing telltale symptoms that suggest a concussion is helpful. Common ones include headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting as well as confusion. Developing any of these after a fall or impact should prompt an evaluation.
- Shoulder Dislocations – Of all the joints in the body, the shoulder joint is one that provides the shoulder with notable mobility. Because of this, it tends to be inherently less stable and prone to joint dislocation. Common hockey injuries often involve shoulder dislocations due to blunt impact from player hits or falls. The same is true for skiers and ice-skaters who fall suddenly on the hard ground and ice. In addition, should a dislocation occur, there is a good chance shoulder ligament damage may also be present. Roughly 40% of shoulder dislocations in winter sports injuries have concurrent ligament tears and strains. This explains why medical evaluations for should injuries are essential.
- Arm and Wrist Fractures – While common hockey injuries may involve arm fractures due to aggressive play, most otherwise occur from falls. When skiers and ice-skaters begin to fall, there is a natural tendency to protect one’s self by extending the arms. This innate reflex is designed to prevent us from hitting our head or neck on the hard surface. But in the process, our arms and wrists take the blow. Especially among snow boarders, wrists fractures are common winter sports injuries. These are not only painful but can create significant problems for individuals who work on keyboards. In many instances, such fractures require casting and/or surgery. And unfortunately, healing can often take weeks if not months.
- Knee-Related Injuries – Once players and sports enthusiasts strap their feet in skates and skies, the potential for a knee injury increases. Both contribute to the opportunity for the knee joint to twist, hyperextend, or hyperflex causing ligament or meniscus damage. This is why ACL and MCL tears as well as meniscus tears are common. However, at the same time, direct impacts to the knee from falls and blunt trauma can also cause knee problems. Common hockey injuries may involve knee dislocations, and patellar fractures are not uncommon either. In these instances, prolonged healing and even surgical repair may be required. And without interventions to speed healing and recovery, down time can be months.
- Ankle Sprains and Fractures – Just as the knee is prone to twist and rolls, so are the ankles. Many winter sports injuries thus involve this joint with sprains being the most frequent. Part of the reason ski boots and ice skates extend above the ankle is for this reason. Yet, each year, hundreds of ankle mishaps occur making it one of the most common hockey injuries in the sport. Likewise, snowboarders are particularly prone to fracturing their Talus bone, which is on the outside of the ankle. Known as “snow boarder’s ankle,” this can take some time to heal. Fortunately, most cases of ankle sprain respond to simple conservative measures like rest, ice, and compression.
- Skier’s Thumb – Not to be outdone, skiers have their own named insult as one of their common sports injuries. Known as skier’s thumb, this injury results from a tear of the ligament at the base of the thumb. Focused on grasping ski poles, this ligament can tear whenever falls on the hand or bends it backwards. In fact, it is the most common among winter sports injuries right behind knee sprains. Depending on the severity of the tear, surgery may be required. For many, though, less aggressive non-invasive interventions combined with rest can be effective.
- Spinal Injuries – Like concussions, spinal injuries can be highly concerning in terms of winter sports injuries. Common hockey injuries often involve strains and injuries to the low back region. This may be a simple ligament strain or an outright disc herniation. Others may be even more serious and involve vertebral fractures. While this is painful and limiting in the low back area, those involving the neck area raise additional worries. These winter sports injuries can damage the actual spinal cord and result in motor paralysis. Taking precautions to avoid these types of injuries is top priority when it comes to winter sports.
Reducing the Risks of Winter Sports Injuries
Winter-related sporting mishaps account for a sizable portion of emergency room visits each year. While sports injuries are the second leading cause of such visits overall, it’s clear winter sports injuries account for a fair share. Fortunately there are several activities that can help reduce their occurrence. For example, taking regular breaks and staying abreast of weather conditions can reduce risks. Similarly, warmups and routine stretching is similarly important. Other safeguards include using the right protective gear like helmets, wrist guards, and eyewear. And as always, knowing your own abilities and limits provides a guide in avoiding winter sports injuries.
