Even the most careful skiers can have accidents on the slopes. Sometimes there is just nothing that a person can do to avoid hitting a rough patch or taking a tumble over something that was hidden from view. How you treat these skiing injuries is important. Even the mildest sprain can turn into something more serious when it is not taken care of properly. Here are a few of the most common skiing injuries and the recommended treatments for them.
Sprained Knees
Skiing can sprain or strain the knees of anyone. Knee sprains and strains come in a variety of shapes and sizes so it is important to have a doctor thoroughly examine your knee to make sure that no serious damage has been done. Find out exactly which ligaments have been strained/sprained because the treatment protocol varies. Often the treatment is ice to the injured area and some over the counter anti-inflammatory medication. Check with your doctor to make sure that this is the correct route to take and to make sure that you don't need a cortisone injection.
Broken Bones
It is very common for even a skier to fall or trip on the slopes and break a bone. Wrists and Legs are the most common ski-related breakages and cannot be self treated. When a bone is broken it is imperative that you pay a visit to your doctor immediately so that the bone can be set and you can get a cast put on. The better care you take of your break when it happens, the easier your healing process will be. You might even be able to make it back out onto the slopes before the season is over!
Facial Injuries
Most people think that because of the goggles and other padding a skier wears around his face and skull that injuries to the face are rare. It might surprise you that skiers can suffer from facial injuries as well and that, more often than not, those injuries come from getting hit in the face by the t-bar. When your face or skull take a serious blow, it is important to see the doctor on call at the slopes to make sure that nothing is broken and that you are concussion free. Typical treatments of less serious injuries involves bandaging and over the counter pain medication. Sometimes an ice pack is in order as well.
These are just three of the most common types of injuries that a person can obtain while skiing the slopes. There are plenty of other ways to get injured while you are out there this winter, so be careful and always err on the side of caution!
