Ski Injuries

Since ski injury studies were first reported in the 1970's, the overall rate of alpine ski injuries has decreased by about 50% and now stands at around 2 injuries per thousand skier days - lower than most people think. The decrease in the overall injury rate is directly linked to developments in alpine equipment as well as improvements in ski area management (grooming, slope design, signage, barriers etc). The biggest decrease has been in lower limb fractures, consequent on the introduction of release binding systems and plastic-shelled alpine boots. There has also been a big reduction in the number of lacerations (cuts) that skiers sustain, thought to be due to ski leashes and ski brakes which now prevent a runaway ski shooting off and injuring someone else. The advent and widespread adoption of carving skis also seems to have had a positive influence on the incidence of alpine skiing injuries. A large part of this is that being easier to control than traditional skis, skiers tend to fall less on carving skis. Quite simply, falls equate to injuries so anything that reduces the fall rate will also reduce the injury rate. In addition to this, the shorter tail on a carving ski is thought to be linked to a reduction in the number of ACL injuries seen.

Physio for All has a number of physiotherapists specialised in the treatment of ski injuries (and also very keen skiers)! We can offer advice and referrals on for scans such as MRI and through our excellent contacts with the leading hospitals and surgeons can advise on where to go next.

We offer the following services;

• Physiotherapy treatment for all ski/snow board injuries
• Post-injury rehabilitation
• Post-surgery rehabilitation
• Sports massage to relieve tight muscles
• Pilates to stregthen core stability
• Supervised rehabilitation programme in our own gym

If you do receive an injury the best advice is to get it treated as soon as possible. We can usually see you within 24 hours. Please contact Physio for All at Chelsea or Battersea.

Avoid Skiing Injuries!

Source: Australian Physiotherapy Association

Physiotherapist have been treating ski injuries for years and have been able to produce an accurate account of the "how, when, who, why and where" of injuries.

Here's a quick guide:

Critical periods for injury:
• First two hours on the slope – snow is harder, body not warmed up, skiing is a little rusty and body may be a little sore from previous day
• Just before a break – body is fatigued from a demanding session
• Just after a break – body has had time to cool down and may be out of rhythm. Fatigue is also still a factor
• Last hour before finishing – body is well fatigued by now and hunger/thirst begins to take over. Skiing conditions can also become a little harder late in the day.

Quick tips to help avoid injury
• Get fit to ski – prepare for the ski season ahead with a tailored program prepared by your local physiotherapist (or check out the program on this website)
• Warm up and increase your body temperature
• Stretch and practise appropriate skiing movement before heading for lift queue
• Do some gentle stretching after a long session on the mountain
• Consider a practice fall especially if you have had an injury
• Check all of your gear or have it checked for you

Never the less injuries do occur however careful you might be. Physio for All has specialised for many years in the treatment of ski injuries no doubt in part due to the fact that many of the Physiotherapists are very keen skiers and spend a number of weeks during the year trying not to get injured on a ski slope!

Physio for all
Battersea: 020 7228 2141
Chelsea: 020 7373 0050