Winter sports are one of many things to enjoy in cold weather. However, it is important to keep in mind that winter sports often cause injuries. Before you begin playing a winter sport this year, be sure to understand the types of injuries you are at risk for and what you can do to prevent them.
Types of Winter Sports Injuries
Whether you ski, ice skate, or snowboard, you could injure any part of your musculoskeletal system while you enjoy winter sports. Here are some examples:
Torn Meniscus or Knee Ligaments
Your meniscus is cartilage in between the thighbone and shinbone. It absorbs shock and is susceptible to a tear if you twist your knee forcibly while you put weight on it.
You also have ligaments in your knee, which are connective tissue. In your knee, you have four main ligaments that you could tear. This can cause pain, instability, and difficulty while walking.
Dislocation
If you fall while ice skating, skiing, or snowboarding, you could dislocate a joint, such as the knee or shoulder. When this happens, the bones in the joint are moved out of place. It causes pain and will hinder your ability to move that particular joint. In addition to the dislocation, the bone could injure the soft tissue surrounding it.
Ankle Fracture or Sprain
When you’re skating, treading through the snow, or snowboarding or skiing down a hill, you could fall. You could also roll your ankle as you’re skating on the ice or walking through the snow. All of these can lead to an injury like an ankle sprain. A fall could also cause you to fracture your ankle.
A sprain occurs when you stretch or twist a ligament. As a result, you can develop pain and swelling. A fracture occurs when you have a partial or total break in a bone.
Prevention
These are only some of the potential injuries you could develop from winter sports. You should take the necessary steps to prevent these and other sports-related injuries. For instance, you should always stretch before you participate in any sport. This helps loosen your muscles before physical activity. You should find boots, skates, or shoes that fit you well. Footwear that fits you properly reduces your risk of a fall. If you’re unsure of the proper techniques of a sport, you should take classes or hire an instructor to teach you. You should eat a well-balanced diet. For example, you want to consume fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein. This can help with the repair process if you should happen to sustain an injury. Additionally, proteins, vitamins, and minerals are necessary for muscle development and repair.
Treatment
The treatment of your winter sports injury depends on the injury and its severity. Most often, you’ll need to take it easy and rest until you heal.
Your orthopedic surgeon may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers to alleviate pain symptoms. In addition, your practitioner may advise you to elevate your injured body part when you’re seated or apply an elastic bandage to the area to relieve swelling.
In some cases, your orthopedic surgeon will recommend physical therapy to rebuild strength, enhance flexibility, and optimize function. Surgeons strive to use surgery as a last resort. It’s possible that a practitioner will recommend surgery to repair a problem if it is not treatable otherwise.
Why Choose Our Orthopedic Surgeon for a Sports Injury in Austin, TX
At All-Star Orthopedics of Austin, we understand how enjoyable yet risky winter sports can be. That’s why we aim to help you play the sports you want while reducing the risk of injuries as much as possible. If you happen to injure yourself, we are happy to diagnose and treat you. Our goal is to heal you effectively and return you to the activities you enjoy – fast.
You may call us at (512) 346-4933 to book an appointment, or you can use our online appointment scheduling form.
