Most Common Winter Sports Injuries
Every year, millions of people go out of their way to enjoy various snow-related sports during the cold winter months. Skiing, skating, ice hockey sledding, and snowboarding are some of the most popular sports associated with winter.
Though enjoyable, participating in winter sports puts you at significant risk for injury. There is a wide range of potential winter sports injuries including injuries of the ankle, shoulder, knees, and back. Dr. Albert Skocik of Skocik Chiropractic in Harrisburg, PA is a reputable chiropractor offering personalized chiropractic treatment for all winter sports injuries.
Concussions
More than 20,000 concussions in the U.S. occur during winter with over 6,000 being among children. A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that occurs when the head is hit hard or when the body is shaken violently. Concussions mainly occur during skiing or snowboarding. Symptoms include confusion, dizziness, swelling, vomiting, blurry vision, headache, drowsiness, and nausea. The condition can lead to permanent brain damage and in most extreme cases, death.
Dislocations
A joint dislocation typically occurs when you fall suddenly, collide with a hard surface, or attempt to break a fall with your hands, moving a joint from its normal position. Dislocations due to winter sports mainly occurs in the elbow, knee, and shoulder. While not all dislocated shoulders are painful, it’s important to seek medical advice immediately since putting off treatment could lead to a completely immobile shoulder. Severe dislocations can cause damage to the spinal column leading to paralysis. Symptoms include severe pain, swelling, and the inability to move the affected area.
Skier’s Thumb
Given that skiing is the only sport played in winter that requires full use of your hands, the risk of injury increases further. Skier’s thumb occurs when the skier loses balance and tries to bend their hand to get a grip on the ski pole. This causes muscles around the thumb joint to tear. In severe cases, the thumb bone and the wrist are fractured in the process.
Knee Injuries
Knees are more prone to winter sports injuries than any other part of the body. Common knee-related winter sports injuries include:
- Torn ligaments
- Fractured kneecap
- Torn meniscus
- Knee dislocation
Ankle Injuries
Ankle sprains are another common winter sports injury. They are caused by the tearing and stretching of connected ligaments due to twisting or rolling on the ankle. Symptoms include pain, swelling, popping feeling, restricted movement, and bruising.
Contact Skocik Chiropractic in Harrisburg for Winter Sports Injury Treatment
If you or a loved one is suffering from a winter sports injury, chiropractic care can help prevent the injury from worsening and limiting your movement. For more information about chiropractic treatment for winter sports injuries or to schedule an appointment, call us at (717) 540-8448.