Common injuries when skiing. northern greece experience

Introduction

Injuries when skiing are very common for both professional and amateur skiers. High velocity injuries are often, as ski is a high energy sport activity. Our experience in Northern Greece is big enough, as here is the first ski resort in Greece (for the last 30 years). Nowadays, there are 8 ski resorts in Northern Greece and from statistical reviews the number of people who go in for ski has increased 100% the last decade and 400% the last 20 years. Our aim is to record the common musculoskeletal injuries of skiers, and to describe possible protecting means.

Methods

Our material was athletes (all levels) and amateur skiers ranging from 20 to 80 years. We called them (383 persons- 204 men and 179 women) to answer in a questionnaire which recorded -apart from their personal data- the period of time that they were involved, the possible injuries (type) and how and where they were faced, their opinion about the first aid and finally their activity level of present time. Three hundred twenty-nine of them were answered and for the majority of them (61%), we have the opportunity for clinical examination.

Results

The most common injuries are those of knees (in order of frequency: meniscus raptures, collateral ligaments raptures and ACL raptures). Secondly, there are arm injuries, especially on the wrist (Colles’, Smith’s, Barton’s fractures). Shoulder’s injuries (anterior dislocation) and ribs’ fractures are the following. The lower extremity fractures have been reduced (during the pass of time), because of the boots and pedicles type development (they are unlocked easily when falling).

Discussion/Conclusions

Skiers’ sport injuries need direct treatment and rehabilitation. There is significant progress in the equipment for the security of athletes. But, as ski become more popular (more amateurs), there is serious increase of accidents. So, it is necessary to organize better the first aid facilities in ski resorts and to improve the security especially for the high level athletes.