Skiing and snowboarding provide thrills and adrenaline that few other sports can match. However, the exhilaration of high-speed winter sports comes at the cost of greater injury risk, and a ski-related accident can be both unpleasant and debilitating.
Sprains, strains, and dislocations are prevalent among skiers and snowboarders who aren’t used to spending more than one or two precious weeks on the slopes each winter. You might break a bone if you’re truly unlucky.
However, by planning ahead of time and taking a few measures, you can assist in lessening your risk of harm. It might not be as rewarding as shopping for new ski gear or deciding on a destination, but planning can save you a lot of trouble later. Once you’ve arrived at your home, sticking to a simple daily routine and listening to your body will help you stay safe on the slopes and guarantee that all you take home are good memories. In this blog, you will read about best treatments for winter sports injuries.
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Winter is here, and while winter sports and activities are enjoyable and festive, they may also be hazardous. Many winter sports involve snow and ice, which can be dangerous for competitors.
Frostbite
While it’s officially a condition rather than a sporting injury, it’s one of the most common and most serious difficulties for winter athletes. Frostbite occurs as the body tries to keep its core warm in cold weather. To preserve essential organs, blood in smaller appendages, such as the toes and fingers, rushes to the body’s centre, reducing blood flow and causing tissue in these smaller appendages to freeze. Amputation may become necessary if frostbite becomes severe enough. To avoid this, dress correctly for the weather and stay as dry as possible to prevent a dip in your internal body temperature.
Knee injuries
Winter sports participants, particularly skiers, are prone to knee injuries due to the dynamism of their motions. Knee sprains are, in fact, the most prevalent injury among skiers. Slick winter conditions can cause knee injuries to anyone, but they are more common in skiers. Slipping might cause your leg to bend awkwardly, resulting in sprains and ACL tears. Ice skaters, particularly figure skaters, are prone to these injuries due to their intricate footwork, which lends themselves to falling.
Due to the liveliness of their actions, winter sports athletes, particularly skiers, are prone to knee injuries. Knee sprains are a common injury among skiers. Slick winter conditions can injure anyone’s knees, but skiers are more prone to them. Sprains and ACL tears can occur if you slip and your leg bends abnormally and requires you to get best treatment for winter sports. Ice skaters, especially figure skaters, are particularly vulnerable to these injuries because of their precise footwork, making them prone to falling.
Concussion.
Winter sports like snowboarding, skiing, and ice hockey need a significant amount of time spent on ice and snow, which can be a scary experience. This can lead to several severe falls, sometimes resulting in a serious head injury or concussion. It’s critical to check for signs of a concussion after one of these impacts.
If you are suffering any of the symptoms listed below, seek medical help right away;
Muscle pulls.
Pulled muscles are one of the more mild injuries on our list of winter sports injuries, but they’re all too prevalent to ignore. While they are usually just transient and require little medical attention, they can be extremely painful. The chilly air makes your body more vulnerable to these in the winter, as cold muscles easily become strained than warm ones. Warmth promotes flexibility, which reduces the likelihood of muscle injury. Stretching beforehand can assist in reducing your risk, and if you do get a pull, rest is the most crucial aspect of recovery.
Skier’s thumb.
Skiing can also cause injuries to the thumb, hand, and wrist. During skiing, you utilise your thumbs and wrists for pole handling. A tear in the connective ulnar makes this injury worse. The injury is known as a skier’s thumb. It most usually occurs when a person falls onto an outstretched hand, such as when skiing. Extreme discomfort and swelling at the base of the thumb and the inability to grasp with the affected thumb characterise this condition. This is the second most common injury among skiers after knee sprains.
While you should always get medical advice before beginning treatment, this ailment can often be treated at home with rest and ice. A suture anchor is put in more difficult situations to aid healing.
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Winter sports injuries treatment
Physiotherapy
Depending on the type of injury, physiotherapy might become useful as a part of a rehabilitation regimen that includes rest, bracing, and surgery. Physiotherapy is one of the best treatments for winter sports injuries that can help you get back on your feet by increasing strength in the damaged joint, area, or muscle. Visiting a physiotherapy center in Calgary not only helps you regain full health, but will also help you avoid re-injuring yourself in the future.
Surgery
Surgery is usually only needed to repair an injury, such as a torn ligament, muscle, or broken bone. The nature of your damage will dictate the sort of surgery necessary, including pinning a broken bone together or using a hamstring graft to produce a new anterior cruciate ligament in your knee.
Braces
Bracing is an alternative to casting after a fractured bone injury. A brace protects the damaged area by acting as a hard brace. Compared to cutting and replacing a cast, it can also be swiftly removed to check on healing progress. Soft supports for wrists, knees, and ankles are also available to provide some protection throughout rehabilitation, whether compression, stability or both.
Rest and relax
After an injury, you must take it easy and avoid pushing yourself too hard since this could aggravate the situation. Although it may seem self-evident, the body requires time to mend and recuperate.
Here is how you can avoid winter sports injuries
Winter sports injury prevention becomes important for someone like you who likes to play winter sports.
The most prevalent cause of winter sports injuries is that people are untrained and out of shape when they suddenly hit the slopes and expect their bodies to handle it. Your body has a tougher time adapting to a sudden increase in physical activity as you become older.
If you’re planning a winter sports vacation, getting in shape for a few weeks before leaving can help you gain muscle strength and enhance your physical fitness. Start with stretching and cardiovascular workouts a few weeks before you go.