Coping on the Slopes

Did you know that knee injuries make up about 35% of all ski injuries?
Tears of the medial collateral ligament occur in 60% of knee injuries sustained during skiing.

Although not as prevalent, tears in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) occur in 10-15% of all ski injuries and can be more debilitating in the long term. The ACL is at risk in all of the following situations:

• When landing from a jump and falling backwards.
• Attempting to stand up from a fall whilst still moving.
• Attempting to recover from a fall.
• Attempting to sit down whilst moving
• Twisting on a flexed knee whilst the knee is loaded.

In many cases injury may be avoidable by remembering some simple

Sprint Tips!

• If you fall, do not attempt to get up whilst still moving
• If you are out of control do not attempt to sit down
• Try to keep your weight forward and arms in front.
• Avoid crossing your skis
• Avoid very wide snow-plough positions
• Make sure you prepare yourself physicallyKnee pain is not just the result of an injury either. In many cases knee pain occurs in the skier with faulty biomechanics or in those out of condition.

Don’t let avoidable knee injuries ruin your next ski holiday. Call us at Sprint to book a screening check or, if you have had a previous injury, you might like to discuss ways of minimising re-injury.

We can design a program to help you get the most out of your body and your ski holiday.