By Kirk R. Davis, D.O.
Carlie’s Christmas gift was a snowboarding trip to Big Bear California (we all would like to have her parents). Unfortunately, she returned with a splint on her arm due to a wrist fracture. She now has a difficult job of being a one-armed massage therapist for six weeks.
She sustained the most common snowboard injury; a wrist fracture. Some of these can be prevented by wearing appropriate wrist supports. Shoulder injuries are the next most common injury and are decreased with snowboarding experience.
Ankle injuries are more common in snowboarders than skiers because of the less supportive boots and non-brake away bindings. Inability to walk on the ankle is a good sign an x-ray is needed to see if a fracture exists. Sprains can be treated with relative Rest, application of Ice, Compression, Elevation and early motion and balance exercises. Serious knee injuries can also occur although less common than alpine skiers.
The more experienced snowboarders are less likely to have wrist injuries, but as they obtain “hospital air” are more likely to have head, neck, and trunk injuries. The importance of a helmet can not be overemphasized to prevent these potentially deadly or disability injuries. Care should be taken in deep snow and around the wells as a snowboarder is at an increased risk of suffocation in these areas due to unreleasable bindings.
In conclusion, use of protective equipment such as wrist guards and helmets decrease injuries. Beginning snowboarders should be encouraged to take lessons on proper technique in order to help lower their risk of injury.