Winter Sporting Activities and Necessary Treatment

WINTER SPORTING ACTIVITIES & TREATMENT

With the winter season now upon us, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has indicated that each year approximately 150,000 people seek medical treatment following a snowboarding or skiing mishap. Unfortunately, even a minor winter sporting activity can develop into a long-term issue for someone that likes to ski or snowboard. Fortunately, knowledge of some of these common Winter sporting activities can allow treatment of these issues in an effective manner. Prevention of these injuries is also possible.

1. Ankle Sprains. Ankle sprains can occur for various reasons such as incorrect snowboard boots or ski bindings. This may cause the individual to use the ankle excessively and then fall or suffer a sprain to the ankle. A bad jump may also cause the individual to inadvertently place too much pressure on the ankle joint and bones of the foot resulting in an ankle sprain. Treatment for an ankle sprain includes compression of the injury to reduce the swelling. The individual should also perform regular ankle exercises while using a support for the ankle until the ankle is fully recovered.
2. Spinal Injury. An injury to the spine occurs when there is any damage to the vertebrae which may result in changes in sensation and strength to the areas of the body below the site of the injury. Many skiers and snowboarders suffer spinal injuries due to jumping and subsequent falls. If an individual experiences any back pain that is excruciating, body paralysis or numbness and weakness in the extremities such as hands, feet or toes, then the individual may be experiencing a spinal injury. When a spinal injury occurs, immediate medical attention is needed. Time is of the essence between the moment the injury occurs and treatment is received. Subsequently, the extent of the injury and the time of recovery is dependent on the immediacy of treatment received.
3. Head Injury. The speed at which many winter sporting activities also result in collisions and falls that may or may no result in a head injury. Regardless,all head injuries require immediate medical attention. While minor head injuries may only require stitches, more serious head injuries involving a lack of coordination or light-headedness may require more intensive occupation or physical therapy as well as initial monitoring.
4. Hand or Wrist Injury. The hands and wrists are used constantly when involved in winter sports. For example, a minor slip or fall may cause the skier or snowboarded to extended their hands in order to alleviate the severity of the fall. This extension of their hand may result in a break or sprain to the hand and/or wrist. A hand or wrist injury may result in increasing pain, swelling, tenderness and bruising, and other symptoms. In the event of a hand or wrist injury, an individual should try to refrain from using the hand or wrist for a few days and then apply ice to the injury. In various and more extreme cases, anti-inflammatory medication should be used as a preventative and treatment measure to help with the pain and swelling associated with the injury to the hand or wrist.

Prevention Tips For Winter Sports Injuries
A few effective ways to reduce the injuries received when involved in winter sports include the following:

1. Verify that the snowboard or ski bindings are not excessively loose or too tight.
2. Stay on skiing or snowboard trails that match your skill level.

Some of the best ways to reduce the risk of snow sports injuries include:

1. Ensure ski or snowboard bindings are not too loose or too tight.
2. Ski or snowboard on trails that fall in line with your skill level.
3. Continuously drink fluids throughout your activity.
4. End your activity if you begin to feel too tired and/or become too cold.

It is also extremely helpful to become familiar with various preventative and treatment measures by enrolling in a first aid course.
Enrollment in a basic first aid training course is beneficial for anyone involved in winter sporting activities as it empowers the individual with basic lifesaving skills that can be used to help facilitate treatment of winter sports injuries.