Recent Trends in Ski-related Injuries

Abstract

: In skiing, a strong correlation has long existed between injuries and the development of ski equipment. For instance, just one change in the shape of skis leads to changes in skiing style, which can make the skier adopt knee positions likely to create injury. In this review, we discuss the morphology of ski-related injuries. In the 18 years since 1996, 10,561 patients with skiing and snowboardingrelated injuries visited the Ishiuchi Ski Clinic Niigata Prefecture, Japan . Of these, 3,703 patients had ski-related injuries. We reviewed patients medical records and questionnaires and observed their skiing using a video camera with 3-dimensional computer graphics software analysis. When knee sprains and fractures were considered together, the 18-year overall incidence was 30 , but in the 3-year period from 2009-2012, the incidence increased to 31 . Skiing style has changed from conventional alpine skiing to carving skiing, which has made the knee unstable, thereby increasing the risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury or tibial plateau fracture.

A model for potential non-contact ski injuries of the knee

“…in Norway, about 24% in the 16-year period 1996–2012 2 , or in Japan, about 30% in the 18-year period 1996–2014. 3 During the last decade the skiing style has changed from conventional alpine skiing to carving skiing with increased risk for injury. 4 The reduction of knee injuries remains a main topic in alpine skiing injury prevention.…”