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Winter Breaks: Common Winter Injuries and How To Prevent Them [Photo Gallery]

Nov 17, 2015
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    Common Injuries

    Common winter sports injuries include sprains, strains, dislocations and fractures, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Many of these injuries happen at the end of the day, when people overexert themselves to finish that one last run before the day’s end. A majority of these injuries can easily be prevented if participants prepare for their sport by keeping in good physical condition, staying alert, and stopping when they are tired or in pain.

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    Head Injuries

    Head injuries usually are the most dangerous types of injuries you can get, because damage to the brain is difficult to treat and often results in long-term health problems. In any given year, more than 10 percent of the total number of people suffering head injuries got them playing winter sports. Of course, the best and easiest way to prevent a head injury in just about any sport in any season is to wear a helmet that fits well and is appropriate to the sport.

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    Shoulder Injuries

    Shoulder injuries are some of the most frequent orthopaedic difficulties that occur when bodies make contact with hard surfaces, such as ice. Your shoulder has the greatest range of motion of all of your joints. Dislocation of the shoulder occurs when the ball, known as the humeral head, rolls out of the socket, or the glenoid. Sometimes your muscles will pull it back in, but in some cases, the shoulder joint is damaged enough that the dislocation will recur. Symptoms include swelling, numbness, weakness and bruising.

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    Torn Rotator Cuff

    Torn rotator cuffs also are a common result of winter sports mishaps. The rotator cuff is comprised of the muscles and tendons that surround the top of the upper arm bone, or the humerus, and hold it in the shoulder joint. A tear may result suddenly from a single traumatic event, but is more likely to develop gradually because of repetitive overhead activities. This is why this injury is also common for baseball pitchers and tennis players.

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    Elbow Dislocation

    Elbow dislocation may occur when, as you are falling, you stretch out your hand to break the fall. The impact can knock the bones in your elbow out of position. If you dislocate your elbow, the intense pain and inability to bend your elbow will let you know about it. It also will swell and look deformed.

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    Radius Break

    If the force of a fall onto an extended arm is great enough, it also could break the smaller bone in the forearm, called the radius. The breaks can occur at the wrist or near the tip of the elbow, at the radial “head.” Radial head fractures are common injuries, occurring in about 20 percent of all acute elbow injuries. Symptoms include pain on the outside of the elbow; swelling in the elbow joint; difficulty in bending or straightening the elbow accompanied by pain; and inability or difficulty in turning the forearm, palm up to palm down or vice versa.

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    Hand and Finger Injuries

    Hands and fingers are at risk in winter sports. One of the most common types of injuries is the ulnar collateral ligament tear, also known as gamekeeper’s thumb. This injury used to be seen frequently in estate gamekeepers, but today it is most common to skiers. It is the result of falling onto one’s hand while holding a ski pole, so that the thumb is bent in an awkward way.

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    The Knees

    With the high impact nature of most winter sports, knees often pay the price. This is especially true in skiing and snowboarding, in which the knees absorb much of the shock to the body. In addition to bruises and sprains, the ligaments of the knee are vulnerable. The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) toward the back of the knee, the medial collateral ligament (MCL) on the inner side of the knee and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) on the outside can all be injured and even torn during winter sports.

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    ACL and Meniscus Injuries

    ACL injuries usually make you uncomfortable enough to seek medical attention. Through a physical exam, your orthopaedic surgeon usually can tell which ligaments are injured. Further tests such as an MRI or arthroscopy may be called for to properly diagnose your ACL injury. Treatment of the ACL can include surgery and rehabilitation. Another common knee injury is the meniscus tear. The meniscus is a wedge of cartilage between the bones in the knee joint. Initial treatment of a meniscal tear follows the basic RICE formula: rest, ice, compression and elevation, combined with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications for pain. If your knee is stable and does not lock, this conservative treatment may be all you need. If your knee becomes painful, stiff or locked, you may need surgery.

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    Broken Legs

    Broken legs are fairly common in winter sports, particularly skiing. The most frequently broken bone is the tibia, otherwise known as your shin bone. Most tibial fractures can be treated with a cast and crutches, but more serious fractures can require surgery.

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    Ankle Injuries

    We started with head injuries and we’ve worked our way down to the ankle. There is a specific type of ankle fracture called snowboarder’s ankle. Because a snowboard is controlled with a side-to-side motion of the ankles and knees, this type of injury is quite common to this sport.

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    10 Tips for Winter Safety

    Here are 10 things you can do to help prevent injury during your favorite winter activities.

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    1. Find a Buddy

    Never participate alone in a winter sport.

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    2. Conditioning

    Keep in shape and condition muscles before participating in winter activities.

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    3. Warm Ups and Stretches

    Warm up thoroughly before playing or participating. Cold muscles, tendons and ligaments are vulnerable to injury.

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    4. Wear Appropriate PPE

    Wear appropriate protective gear, including goggles, helmets, gloves and padding and check that equipment is working properly prior to use.

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    5. Layer Up

    Wear several layers of light, loose and water- and wind-resistant clothing for warmth and protection. Layering allows you to accommodate your body’s constantly changing temperature. Wear proper footwear that provides warmth and dryness, as well as ample ankle support.

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    6. Take a Lesson or Two

    Take a lesson (or several) from a qualified instructor, especially in sports like skiing and snow boarding. Learning how to fall correctly and safely can reduce the risk of injury.

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    7. Watch Out for Weather

    Pay attention to warnings about upcoming storms and severe drops in temperature to ensure safety.

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    8. Hypothermia Happens

    It’s easy to get caught up in the fun of outdoor activities and not realize that you’re suffering from cold-related symptoms. Seek shelter and medical attention immediately if you, or anyone with you, is experiencing hypothermia or frostbite. Make sure everyone is aware of proper procedures for getting help if injuries occur.

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    9. Stay Hydrated

    Hydration isn't an issue only in summer. Drink plenty of water before, during and after activities.

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    10. Stop When It Hurts

    Avoid participating in sports when you are in pain or exhausted.

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  • Related Galleries / Refresh Gallery

Each year, more than 440,000 people are treated at hospitals, doctor’s offices and emergency rooms for winter sports-related injuries, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. These injuries include an estimated:

  • 144,000 injuries from snow skiing
  • 148,000 injuries from snow boarding
  • 58,500 injuries from ice skating
  • 91,000 injuries from sledding and tobogganing

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