Prevention of Knee Pain While Skiing

Knee pain while skiing happens to the best of us. Whether it is the ligaments, menisci or bony structures depends on the specific injury, yet the fact remains that 25% of all alpine ski injuries are knee injuries. It is true, not everyone has this problem, but when you do you may need some helpful information included here.

When you ski, or snowboard, their are twisting forces that occur at your knees. As you know your feet are usually locked (more or less) into the ski or snowboard, but you still need to adapt to the terrain as you go over bumps in the mountain side.

Included here are a few tips on prevention that can serve you.

Even if you are a great skier, chances are that you can fall at some point during the trip. Or for those of us that "don't fall" you can tell some who does the following information :

1.) Don't fully straighten your legs when you fall. Keep your knees flexed. This helps avoid hyperextension of your legs, which can contribute to injury.

2.) Don't try to get up until you have stopped sliding.

3.) Don't land on your hands (if you can help it) Keep your arms up and forward.

4.) Don't jump unless you know where and how to land. Land on both skis and keep your knees flexed

(reference: Ettlinger CF, Johnson RJ and Shealy JE, American Journal of Sports Medicine 1995; 23(5): 531-537)

LAST BUT NOT LEAST - The use of knee braces can help avoid knee injuries, or protect your knees after such an injury has occured.

DonJoy is the official supplier of knee braces for the U.S. ski team. While we hope you never have a problem while you ski, accidents can happen. When they do you should check us out online. Dr. Brace Co. was created by brace professionals to help people learn about the best knee brace options for their personal needs. Don't keep you knee waiting, visit us online at http://www.drbraceco.com