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Skiing Injuries Andrew Getzin, MD. Cayuga Medical Center Sports Medicine and Athletic Performance www.cayugamed.org/sportsmedicine. Statistics Head injuries Skier’s thumb Knee injuries Prevention. Overview. 200 million skiers 70 million snowboarders in the world
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Skiing InjuriesAndrew Getzin, MD Cayuga Medical Center Sports Medicine and Athletic Performance www.cayugamed.org/sportsmedicine
Statistics Head injuries Skier’s thumb Knee injuries Prevention Overview
200 million skiers 70 million snowboarders in the world 2 injuries for every 1000 ski days Increased risk with newer skiers and those who try to ski slopes beyond their ability Injury Statistics
Skiing Injuries in Children Deibert, JBJS 1998A
Skiing Injuries in Adolescents Deibert, JBJS 1998A
Skiing Injuries in Adults Deibert, JBJS 1998A
The leading cause of ski hospitalizations 50-88% of total deaths in skiers and snowboarders US Product Safety Commission estimates that 44% of these injuries could be eliminated with helmet use No increase risk for neck injuries Traumatic Brain injuries Cusimano and Kwok. JAMA 2010
Male gender Youth Low skill level Use of rented equipment Absence of a helmet Risk Factor for Head Injuries in Skiing
Almost all! Any loss of consciousness Memory problems Headaches Vomiting Why take chances? Which Skier’s with Head Injuries Need to be Seen by Medical Personnel?
What is a Concussion? Mild traumatic brain injury A disruption in normal brain function due to a blow or jolt to the head CT or MRI is normal Invisible injury
Common Physical Symptoms Headache Nausea and vomiting Clumsiness and poor balance Dizziness and lightheadedness Blurred vision and light sensitivity Fatigue and lack of energy Sleep disturbance Symptoms often get worse before they get better
Who Should Have a CT Scan? What are we looking for? Intracranial bleed Cerebral edema Skull fracture <10% of patients with mTBI have CT abnormalities <1% require neurosurgical intervention Radiation exposure, Cost
Principles of Concussion Treatment No cure for concussion, but treatment can help the person feel better and function better while symptomatic Early diagnosis and education is critical, and can improve outcome Rest early (7-10 days?) and then gradually increase activity
Skiing into a planted pole Disruption or sprain to the ulnar collateral ligament (MCP joint) Pain with opening and grabbing things Skier’s thumb
Skier’s Thumb: Exam Difficulty opposing pinky to thumb Swelling and black and blue over thenar eminence Can’t hold an OK sign
Skier’s Thumb: Treatment • Splint or cast 6-8 weeks • Ice, elevate, pain medication • Rare cases need surgery • Non-healing • Stenner’s lesion
ACL injury Often feel a pop Usually can’t keep skiing Requires surgery Medial Collateral ligament Often can keep skiing Non-surgical brace Knee Injuries
Most common knee injury 20% incidence in French ski team 40% recurrence ACL Injuries Pujol, AJSM 2007
Serious knee injury reduced by 62% in patrollers and instructors who participated in awareness training Study involved 42 areas and encompassed 24% US skiers Can education benefit the novice skier? http://www.vermontskisafety.com/kneefriendly.php ACL Awareness Training Ettingler AJSM 1995
Arms forwards Skies together Hands over skis ACL Dos
Don’t straighten your legs when you fall Don’t try to get up until you have stopped Don’t land on your hand Don’t jump unless you know how and where to land ACL Don’ts
Take a lesson When skiing, look uphill before you ski and assess your surroundings Prepare your body for ski season Ease into the season: increase by <10%/week www.ski-injury.com General Injury Prevention
Mountain bike use at resorts 80-90% Incentives- discounted tickets or helmets Include with all child and youth rental packages Insurance premiums to ski resorts Education Look at reduction in medical cost Ski patrollers role models Multi-faceted approach with ski helmets
Sun Screen, only 65% of skiers Warm clothes Eye protection Warm up or Warm down Common Sense Hason and Sutherland, Curr Sports Med Reports 2010
Never start a run after 3p Take the 3rd day off Beware above 3000 meters Fewer than 3 drinks the day before skiing Rule of 3s