Winter sports are thrilling, but they come with risks. Learn how to protect yourself from common injuries and how physical therapy can help you recover if you get hurt.
Skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and other winter sports are fantastic ways to stay active and enjoy the season. However, the icy terrain, high speeds, and unpredictable conditions can lead to injuries if you’re not careful. By understanding common injuries and adopting smart strategies, you can safely enjoy your favorite winter activities.
Here’s a guide to the most frequent winter sports injuries and how to prevent and treat them.
What happens: High-impact sports like skiing and snowboarding often put stress on the knees, resulting in ligament tears, such as ACL or MCL injuries.
Prevention: Strengthen your legs with exercises like squats and lunges to support the knee joint. Wear proper gear, including well-fitted boots and braces if needed.
Recovery: Physical therapy can restore strength, improve stability, and help you regain confidence in your movements.
What happens: Falling on outstretched hands is a common cause of wrist fractures in ice skating and snowboarding.
Prevention: Practice falling techniques by tucking your arms and rolling to protect your wrists. Wrist guards can also provide additional support.
Recovery: A physical therapist can help with mobility exercises and strengthening routines once your cast is removed.
What happens: Sudden falls or collisions in sports like hockey or snowboarding can lead to shoulder dislocations.
Prevention: Strengthen the muscles around your shoulders with resistance exercises and maintain good posture during activities.
Recovery: Physical therapy focuses on rebuilding shoulder stability and mobility while preventing re-injury.
What happens: Overexertion or improper technique can lead to muscle strains and ligament sprains, especially in the ankles.
Prevention: Warm up before activities and include flexibility exercises to reduce strain on your muscles and joints.
Recovery: RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) is the first step, followed by a tailored rehabilitation plan from a physical therapist.
If you experience a winter sports injury, physical therapy can accelerate your recovery and get you back to the activities you love. Therapists create personalized plans to reduce pain, restore mobility, and strengthen your body to prevent future injuries.
Don’t let an injury keep you sidelined this season. Contact us to learn how our physical therapy services can help you recover and get back on the slopes or rink!