Vibe-Winter-2425 - Flipbook - Page 18
ORTHOPEDIC INSIGHTS
Staying Safe and Strong on the Slopes
couple of years ago, my son had an
experience that every winter sports
enthusiast dreads. He was on the
slopes, eagerly attempting a daring jump
on his snowboard. In a split second, his
landing went awry, and I watched in horror
as his wrist twisted at an alarming angle. I
felt a mix of concern and urgency. His wrist
was curved like an “S,” and the severity of
the deformity made it clear that I needed
to realign the arm right away to protect the
soft tissues surrounding the fracture.
Unfortunately, we didn’t have anesthesia available, but my son bravely decided to
proceed with the reduction right then and
there, trusting my expertise. At some point
during the whole ordeal, he might have
questioned his luck in having an orthopedic
surgeon for a father! Fortunately, despite the
intensity of the situation, he recovered well
without needing surgery, and feels grateful
A
By Dr. Joshua Knowles
the weeks and months leading up to that
first day on the slopes.
When it comes to knee injuries,
prevention is key. Common injuries such
as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears,
medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprains, and
meniscal tears can significantly impact one’s
ability to enjoy winter sports. The ACL plays
a crucial role in stabilizing the knee, preventing the tibia from sliding too far forward
on the femur. ACL tears often occur during
rapid deceleration, pivoting, or improper
landings from jumps. Similarly, MCL injuries
often result from a valgus stress—where the
knee bends inward, placing strain on the
ligament—during falls or collisions. Meniscal
tears, particularly of the medial meniscus,
commonly happen during twisting motions
of the knee, which are all too frequent in
skiing and snowboarding.
To understand why these injuries mat-
effectively recruit and coordinate muscles in
response to movement demands. Improving
neuromuscular control helps athletes maintain stability and balance during dynamic
activities, making them less susceptible to
injuries like ACL and meniscal tears.
One proactive approach to enhance
neuromuscular control involves specific
training regimens focused on strength and
flexibility. Local fitness pros offer a ski and
snowboard winter prep classes that emphasize building lower extremity strength
and neuromuscular control to reduce
injury risk. These programs commonly
include closed kinetic chain exercises, such
as squats, lunges, and plyometric drills.
Closed kinetic chain exercises involve the
distal segment—like the foot—remaining
fixed while the proximal segment—such
as the knee or hip—moves. These exercises
mimic weight-bearing activities and engage
One proactive approach to enhance neuromuscular control involves specific training regimens focused
on strength and flexibility. Local fitness pros offer a ski and snowboard winter prep classes that emphasize
building lower extremity strength and neuromuscular control to reduce injury risk.
that we were able to stabilize it so quickly.
Once we arrived at the local hospital,
the emergency room doctor shared a fascinating tidbit: mountain hospitals become
incredibly busy during the winter months.
He had even set a record of performing 32
wrist reductions in a single day! This made
me reflect on the importance of prioritizing
orthopedic health during the winter sports
season, especially in our beautiful Mt.
Washington Valley. This region is a veritable
playground for winter sports enthusiasts,
offering everything from skiing and snowboarding to winter hiking and ice climbing.
However, the thrill of hitting the slopes
comes with its share of risks, particularly
to the knees, shoulders, and wrists. An
injury-free season starts with preparation in
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ter, let’s take a closer look at the meniscus.
This C-shaped cartilage sits between the
femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone),
serving as a cushion and stabilizer for the
knee joint. Each knee contains two menisci:
the medial meniscus on the inner side and
the lateral meniscus on the outer side. They
distribute weight, absorb shock, and allow
for smooth movement. An injury to the
meniscus can lead to pain, swelling, and a
decreased range of motion, hindering an
athlete’s performance. Knee injury prevention is rapidly growing in importance as we
now know that nearly half of all sport-related injuries affect the knee.
Enhancing neuromuscular control is
essential in reducing the risk of knee injuries.
This term refers to the body’s ability to
multiple muscle groups while promoting
joint stability, which is crucial for skiing
and snowboarding. By strengthening the
quadriceps, hamstrings, and gluteal muscles,
closed kinetic chain exercises help distribute
forces across the knee joint more effectively,
thereby lowering the risk of injury during
dynamic movements on the slopes.
If a knee injury does occur, treatment
options vary depending on the severity.
For ACL tears, conservative management
typically involves physical therapy focused
on strengthening and stability. However,
more severe cases may require surgical
intervention, often through arthroscopic
reconstruction (creating a “new” ACL with
tissue from other parts of the body). MCL
injuries are frequently treated using the
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