Skiing is a beneficial winter sport that works the core muscle groups in your body. But, like any outdoor sport, there is a risk for injuries that can lead to chronic pain. One hard fall can cause a concussion, broken leg, dislocated shoulder or spinal injury. However, the most common injuries usually occur to the wrists and knees.

Below you’ll find more information from our sports doctor on wrist and knee injuries and ways to prevent them before hitting the slopes. 

Common Knee Injuries from Skiing 

The most common skiing injury is knee sprains. This happens when a ligament around the knee joint becomes injured from stretching or tearing too far. It’s a common mishap when skiing because the knees bend in ways they aren’t used to. 

Knee ligament ruptures, particularly of the ACL, are also common. In fact, we’re seeing more of these injuries because of improvements in ski boots and bindings that reduce ankle and shin injuries but end up causing more ligament tears. 

Frequent Wrist Injuries While Skiing 

Wrist injuries are also common for skiers. Falling on an outstretched hand can put too much pressure on the bones and cause them to break. Plus, skiing is a sport where you can’t always control if and when you fall, as there are many unpredictable challenges along the way. Therefore, it’s easy to lose control and put your full weight on your wrist or arm, leading to sprains, ligament damage and fractures. 

How to Prevent Knee and Wrist Injuries on the Slopes 

You’ll want to prevent injuries when on the slopes, as they can lead to long lasting joint pain and nerve damage. Joint pain can occur from any type of inflammation, injury or overuse, so it’s important to be proactive. 

The best thing you can do is wear the proper safety gear. To prevent knee injuries, wear a knee brace. This way, if you do land on your knee, the brace will protect it from stretching or tearing more than it should. Be sure that you purchase a knee brace for skiers that offers protection for these four key ligaments: ACL, PCL, LCL and MCL. 

To prevent wrist injuries, choose a skiing center with slopes that are suitable for your experience level. If you choose a slope that is outside your comfort zone, your risk for falls and injuries is greater. Also, be sure to follow all of the rules and check to make sure your equipment fits properly, including your gloves. 

If you are injured while skiing, you may need a sports medicine physician in NJ to get your knee or wrist out of pain. Contact Jersey Rehab at one of our four locations to learn more about the various pain management remedies we offer for sports injuries.