On September 29th, Shenzhen Qianhai Huafa Ice and Snow World will officially open its doors to welcome guests, creating a new ice and snow cultural and tourism experience that is "all season slippery" for ice and snow enthusiasts in Shenzhen and even in southern China.  

 

 

In recent years, skiing has gradually become a popular and fashionable winter sport in China. It not only adds a lot of joy to our winter life, but also helps many long-term skiing enthusiasts maintain a healthy physique.

 

However, while enjoying this sport, accidentally getting injured can also bring about the pain of injury. At present, there is still a lack of awareness and scientific prevention of skiing injuries among people.

 

The image is sourced from AI

 

The American Consumer Safety Association recorded in 2012 that approximately 193000 people are injured and seek medical attention each year due to skiing.. According to relevant reports in the UK, as early as 2007, there were 1.3 million skiers in the UK, and over 65% of skiing enthusiasts had experienced injuries.

 

With the advancement of skiing equipment in recent years, the probability of skiing injuries has decreased to 30-40%, mainly including anterior cruciate ligament injuries, shoulder joint ligament injuries, thumb ligament injuries, spinal muscle and ligament injuries, fractures in various parts, head and facial injuries, frostbite, dehydration coma, etc.

 

Next, doctors will summarize the common injuries, emergency treatment methods, prevention methods, and recommendations for skiing enthusiasts to learn and understand.

 

Common skiing injuries

Types and processing methods

 

Knee joint injury

The most common skiing injuries are injuries to the medial collateral ligament and anterior cruciate ligament of the knee joint, accounting for 18% and 16% of skiing injuries, respectively.

The main injury mechanisms of the medial collateral ligament and anterior cruciate ligament are as follows:

During the forward movement, the knee joint bends and everses (i.e X In the leg posture, the inner edge of the snowboard is embedded with the ground, and as the body continues to move forward, the knee joint rolls inward, causing excessive force on the medial collateral ligament of the knee joint and resulting in injury.

If the violence further increases, the knee joint may experience anterior cruciate ligament injury or even rupture due to twisting violence.

The second type of violence (phantom foot) is when a skier falls while sitting between two snowboards during a turn, causing the legs on the inside of the bend to bend and twist excessively, resulting in the rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament.

The third cause of injury is related to ski boots. This type of injury usually occurs when the back of the snowboard lands first during a jump, creating a lever force that causes the ski boots to exert a forward force between the fixators.

This kind of force will cause the calf to form a drawer like force forward, leading to anterior cruciate ligament injury. If the knee joint bends and cannot be extended after a sprain, that is, if the knee joint is "locked", it is possible that the meniscus has ruptured and the noose has shifted.

 

Image source: Visual China

 

When the above-mentioned injuries occur, the knee joint generally experiences pain and swelling. When severe ligament injuries occur, patients may be unable to stand due to joint instability. If there is a joint lock, in some cases, the knee joint can be "unlocked" by bending and extending.

After knee joint injury, it is necessary to use splints or braces for fixation, and quickly apply ice to reduce pain and avoid excessive swelling.

 

Shoulder joint injury

Shoulder joint injuries account for 11% of all skiing injuries. The most common shoulder injuries include rotator cuff injury (ligaments around the shoulder joint), shoulder dislocation, acromioclavicular dislocation, and clavicle fracture.

The mechanisms of shoulder joint injury mainly include the following three types:

1. Falling to the side, with the shoulder joint in an outward rotation position (i.e. the posture where the shoulder joint is open and the arm rotates outward of the body), and violent force acting on the shoulder in outward rotation, resulting in shoulder fractures, dislocations, or ligament injuries;

When falling forward, indirect violence spreads from both hands to the shoulder joint, causing injury. This type of injury often leads to rotator cuff injury, posterior shoulder dislocation, shoulder fracture, or wrist fracture;

3. When the shoulder joint is in the adduction position (i.e. the posture where the shoulder joint is closed and the upper arm is close to the body), the shoulder joint falls and directly hits the ground, causing a shoulder joint fracture.

If there is damage around the shoulder joint, it is generally necessary to suspend it with an upper arm sling and apply ice to reduce pain and prevent excessive swelling of the shoulder joint.

However, if there is a dislocation of the shoulder joint, there will generally be deformities of the shoulder joint (mostly anterior dislocation: characterized by "square shoulder deformity"), inability to move the shoulder joint, and severe pain. If medical personnel are present, a reset can be attempted, otherwise seek medical attention quickly.

 

Thumb joint

The ulnar collateral ligament (Skier's Thumb) of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint is also common, accounting for 8-10% of skiing injuries.

Injury is caused when a skier falls and holds a snow cane in their hand, with the inner side of the thumb supporting the ground, causing excessive force on the inner ligament of the thumb and resulting in ligament damage or tearing fracture.

This situation requires simple external fixation, ice compress, and medical attention. Photography is required after seeking medical treatment X Evaluate the condition through X-rays and/or magnetic resonance imaging, and then decide on further treatment plans.

 

Spinal injury

Spinal injuries are not uncommon in skiing injuries, ranging from muscle strains to fractures.

Severe cases can lead to spinal fractures combined with spinal cord injuries. Although the probability of occurrence is relatively small, the prognosis is generally poor and can cause serious sequelae for the injured.

For skiing enthusiasts, "jumping" is a particularly exciting and enjoyable part of skiing, so 77% of spinal and head injuries occur during the jumping process.

To avoid injury, besides using spinal protection equipment, participating in professional jumping training and mastering safe jumping techniques may be the most effective way to avoid spinal and head injuries.

 

Head and facial trauma

The main injured group for head and facial injuries is teenage skiing enthusiasts. According to literature reports, the age group of 7-17 years old has the highest incidence of injury cases in skiing in Switzerland. Head and facial injuries account for 17-22% of this age group, due to skiing enthusiasts' excessive pursuit of speed and stimulation, as well as weak safety awareness.

Head and face injuries mainly occur in cases of violent concussion, coma, or intracranial hemorrhage caused by impact. In addition, there are external injuries to the mouth, nose, and face, tooth loss, and fractures.

When spinal and head and facial injuries occur, professional rescue personnel or medical staff are often needed for treatment. When waiting for rescue or medical personnel, the companions of the injured should help the patient maintain body temperature, and comatose patients should pay attention to keeping their respiratory tract unobstructed to avoid suffocation caused by tongue suffixes and death.

 

Prevention of Ski Injuries

The key to skiing injuries is prevention, such as choosing suitable equipment and selecting a ski slope that suits one's level.

For beginners, attending skiing training classes is particularly important, as they need to learn how to stop skiing, how to avoid hitting others, and correct and safe fall postures.

 

Image source: Visual China

 

There are literature reports that the incidence of injuries during the first skiing trip is high, so it is recommended that everyone take the first skiing seriously to avoid unnecessary tragedies.

 

Correct use of snow cane

As skiing skills improve, skiers will gradually master different ski slopes, acquire more skiing techniques, and avoid falling.

It should be emphasized that in addition to avoiding falling accidents, attention should be paid to the correct use of snow poles. The purpose of using a snow cane is to maintain balance and assist in gliding. In principle, the snow cane should only be used during assisted gliding, and avoid using wristbands or other items to secure the snow cane to the wrist.

Incorrect use of snow poles can increase the likelihood of falls, and as skiers cannot discard their poles to protect themselves during a fall, it can also increase the likelihood of injuries to various parts of the body.

 

Use appropriate safety equipment

The use of joint protectors can effectively reduce the occurrence of joint injuries, including knee pads, elbow pads, wrist pads, and spinal protection braces.

But remember, the detection of the fixator is equally important, as it can ensure that the snowboard can fall off normally when falling. If the ski anchor does not fall off during a skier's fall, the probability of knee joint injury will increase by 2.3-3.3 times.

The adjustment and testing of ski fixators require the use of specialized testing equipment. This can detect the detachment coefficient of the ski fastener based on the skier's height, weight, size, and different skiing requirements, thereby ensuring that the ski fastener is within the safe detachment coefficient. So, before skiing, everyone must remember to check the fixators at the shops that sell or rent snowboards.

 

Prepare oneself

Skiing requires a healthy physique, especially appropriate weight and strong muscles. For overweight skiers, it is important to carefully choose ski slopes, starting with simple slopes and gradually upgrading to medium to advanced slopes after good weight control and technical proficiency.

Skiing requires high muscle strength, especially around the knee joints. So for skiing enthusiasts, regular muscle building training is particularly important.

Strong and powerful muscles can increase joint protection, enhance joint stability, and stabilize joints in moments of potentially injured body posture changes, avoiding joint twisting and helping to maintain body balance and prevent falls.

Also, warm-up before skiing is very important. It is recommended to warm up for half an hour by jumping, running, or brisk walking.

For skiers with tight ligaments, it is also necessary to do sufficient stretching exercises to avoid ligament injuries and joint pain. After warming up, it is recommended to start a few rounds on the low-speed trail before going on the advanced trail.

 

Other small details

 

Never Do The Last Run

Many skiers get injured near the end of skiing because they are in a state of fatigue. When feeling tired, do not have the idea of "going home on the last track". Many injuries occur on the last track.

So it is recommended to stop skiing activities for the day when the body is tired or there is already muscle or joint pain.

 

● Fully replenish water and electrolytes

Due to the high physical requirements of skiing, even slight dehydration and electrolyte loss can lead to a decrease in the body's competitive ability, muscle strength, and stamina, resulting in injuries.

It is recommended to replenish sufficient water and electrolytes before, during, and after skiing.

 

● Dress code

It is recommended to wear multiple layers of lightweight, windproof, and waterproof clothing to keep warm. This type of clothing allows skiers to adjust the number of layers as their body temperature changes during exercise.

 

● Environment

Ensure skiing in a safe environment, that is, skiing along the ski slopes and not entering uninhabited areas without permission.

When skiing, it is advisable to travel in groups, keep each other within sight, or use communication devices such as walkie talkies to ensure constant communication and avoid missing the opportunity for treatment if someone is injured and cannot be detected by their peers.

Pay attention to the weather forecast and be alert to possible strong winds and sudden temperature drops.

Finally, I wish everyone a healthy and enjoyable experience in skiing!