Skiing Injuries
Updated:Diagnosis > Sports Injuries > Skiing Injuries
Most skiing injuries occur traumatically, usually from a fall or due to a collision with another skier or stationary object. Traumatic skiing injuries often involve the knees, head and neck, shoulders, ankle, wrist or thumb. These injuries can include ligament sprains, joint sprains or dislocations, fractures or contusions, lacerations or concussion with some conditions being quite serious.
Most Common Skiing Injuries
The following injuries are our Top 5 Most Common Skiing Injuries. To view our Top 15 Most Common Skiing Injuries, to aid with diagnosis, Become a Member.
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Most Common Skiing Injuries
Knee
MCL Tear
Tearing of the medial collateral ligament of the knee (MCL – Figure 1) typically following a valgus force (Figure 2) when changing direction on the slopes, due to a fall or following a sudden twisting movement. Often associated with a snap or tearing sensation at the time of injury, pain on firmly touching the MCL and often swelling. Occasionally associated with knee instability or giving way of the knee.
Figure 1 – Anatomy of a MCL Tear
Figure 2 – Valgus force (often involved in a MCL tear)
Groin
Adductor Strain
Tearing of the adductor muscle (figure 3), typically following uncontrolled separation of the two skis or change-of-direction movements. Associated with pain on firmly touching the affected region and localised, one-sided groin pain, often aggravated by stretching the affected muscle (figure 4).
Figure 3 – Groin Strain Anatomy (Adductors)
Figure 4 – Groin Stretch
Head & Neck
Whiplash
An acceleration / deceleration injury of the neck typically occurring as a result of a collision or fall whereby the neck is forcefully thrown forwards, then backwards. Muscle spasm, restricted movement and tenderness on firmly touching the affected levels of the spine are usually present. Pain may be felt in the neck with or without symptoms radiating into the upper back, shoulder, upper arm, elbow, forearm, wrist or hand or headache. Occasionally pins and needles, numbness or weakness may be present in the affected arm or hand.
Shoulder
AC Joint Sprain
Tearing of the connective tissue and ligaments of the Acromio-Clavicular joint (AC Joint – figures 5 & 6) typically as a result of a direct impact to the point of the shoulder during a fall or a collision. Causes pain at the top of the shoulder that may increase when lying on the affected side, moving the arm across the body and during certain other shoulder movements. There is also localised tenderness on firmly touching the AC joint (figures 5 & 6) and sometimes a noticeable step deformity.
Figure 5 – AC Joint Sprain Anatomy
Figure 6 – AC Joint Anatomy
Wrist & Hand
Skier’s Thumb
Tearing of connective tissue and / or ligaments holding the bones of the thumb together typically following excessive stretching of the joint in one direction (usually from the ski pole getting caught in the snow during a fall and forcing the thumb backwards). Associated with pain on firmly touching the affected joint, restricted joint mobility and often swelling.
More Most Common Skiing Injuries
To view more of the Most Common Skiing Injuries to the Knee, Head & Neck, Shoulder and Wrist & Hand, to aid with diagnosis, Become a Member.
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Contributing Factors to Skiing Injuries
A number of factors may contribute to the incidence or development of skiing related injuries, including:
- Inexperience
- Inappropriate warm up or cool down
- A lack of fitness or conditioning
- Muscle weakness (particularly the gluteals, adductors, quadriceps and core stabilisers)
- Excessive training
- Poor technique
- Inadequate recovery between sessions
- Poor flexibility (particularly in the adductors, hamstrings and gluteals)
- Tightness in specific joints (such as the hips)
More Contributing Factors
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Injury Prevention Tips for Skiers- Warm Up & Cool Down properly
- Make sure you are ‘Fit to Ski’ (check out our Core, Gluteal, Quads & Balance Exercises)
- Maintain a healthy body weight to minimise the load on your knees
- Take a lesson to improve your technique
- Ski to your own ability level and on appropriate terrain for your level of experience
- Ski appropriately to the conditions
More Injury Prevention Tips
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Physiotherapy ProductsThe following physiotherapy products are commonly prescribed to patients by physiotherapists to assist in the rehabilitation and prevention of skiing related injuries:
- Ice Packs and Heat Packs
- Knee Braces
- Sports Tape
- Swiss Balls (for core stability exercises)
- Foam Rollers (for self massage)
- Massage Balls (for self massage)
- McKenzie Treat Your Own Back Books
- McKenzie Treat Your Own Neck Books
To purchase physiotherapy products to assist with injury rehabilitation click on one of the above links or visit the PhysioAdvisor Shop.
Find a PhysioFind a physiotherapist in your local area who can treat skiing related injuries.
Become a MemberBecome a PhysioAdvisor Member and gain full access to our complete physiotherapy and sports injury information database. For more details see Become a Member.
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