Hand Care for Winter Sports
Winter sports enthusiasts look forward to dropping temperatures as the snowy season approaches. Whether you are hitting the slopes or the rink, it is important to be aware of the potential risks various winter sports pose and how to prevent an injury. The following are common injuries associated with popular winter sports.
- While the design of the snowboard, which locks the feet and legs in position, makes an injury to the lower body less likely than in other winter sports, snowboarders often experience hand and wrist injuries. Most frequently, as a result of using the hands to break a fall, snowboarding can cause a fracture of the forearm or wrist.
- In the event of a fall, many skiers keep their poles in hand while putting their arms out to catch themselves. The pressure of the pole on the hand, in addition to the impact of the fall itself, can cause a condition known as “skier’s thumb,” which is a tear or strain in the ligament of the thumb.
- Ice Skating. While ice skating, falling with an outstretched arm can often lead to wrist fractures and other injuries.
Take the following measures to avoid suffering a hand and wrist injury while participating in your favorite winter sport.
- Dress Warmly. Falls often occur because the fingertips and other extremities become stiff and you are unable to maneuver effectively.
- Gear Up. Wrist guards are highly effective in preventing common winter sports injuries.
- Give Your Equipment a Check Up. At the beginning of the season, take your winter sports equipment to a sporting goods store to ensure that everything is functional.
- Fall Properly. Know and practice the safest falling techniques for your sport:
- When snowboarding, keep your arms to the sides of your body as you fall to spread the impact of the crash.
- When skiing, be sure to throw the poles out of your hands as you are falling to avoid skier’s thumb.
- While ice skating, if you feel that you are about to fall, squat down and reach your arms out in front of you. This position is known as a “dip.”
If you have already suffered a winter sports-related hand or wrist injury or are unsure whether a previous injury precludes you from partaking in winter sports this year, request an appointment with a specialist at New Jersey Hand & Wrist.
