Preventing Snowboarding Injuries

In a time when the number of skiers has declined 25%, the number of snowboarders has increased 77%, making snowboarding the fastest growing winter sport in the US. Today, more than 3.4 million people snowboard. They now comprise about 20% of the visitors to US ski resorts.

Snowboarding typically involves riding an epoxy-fiberglass board (resembling a large skateboard) down a ski slope or specially constructed pipe. The standard snowboarding stance is much like that of a surfer with toes pointed to the side of the board. Snowboarders ride with both feet affixed to the board by non-releasable bindings. They do not typically use ski poles. Safety equipment, which is usually used by racers but only sometimes by recreational snowboarders, includes helmets, goggles, face guards, wrist guards and forearm guards.

There are three styles of boots worn by snowboarders: soft, hard and hybrid. Most recreational snowboarders use soft boots, which allow moderate stability and moderate flexibility. Hard boots, primarily worn by racers, provide greater ankle support and increased control. Hybrid boots balance the increased stability of hard boots with the increased comfort and maneuvering ability of soft boots. Each type of boot places the body under different stresses. Hard boots, for example, place the snowboarder at approximately twice the risk of a knee injury compared with soft boots, while soft boots give the snowboarder about twice the risk of ankle injury compared to hard boots. Hiking boots or "moon boots" should never be worn for snowboarding as they significantly increase the risk for serious injury.

Types of Injuries

Compared to skiing, snowboarding injuries are more likely to involve the upper extremities and the ankle. From 4% to 8% of snowboarding injuries occur while the individual is waiting in a ski-lift line or entering or existing ski lifts. These are often knee injuries. Serious, potentially life-threatening injuries are rare; these most often occur from collision with trees. Equipment failure rarely causes injury.

Today, fewer than one-third of snowboarding injuries are to the lower extremities; the lead leg accounts for almost 75% of such injuries. On average, wrist injuries account for 23% of snowboarding injuries while ankle injuries account for 16.7% and knee injuries account for 16.3%. Head injuries comprise 9.2% of injuries, while shoulder injuries represent 8.3%, trunk injuries account for 7.8% and elbow injuries account for 4.4%. Wrist fractures account for half of all fractures resulting from snowboarding. About 50% of ankle injuries are fractures, and some, known as "snowboarder's ankle," are difficult to diagnose as they appear to be severe ankle sprains that don't respond to treatment.

Injury Prevention

• Get in shape first. A regular fitness program will make snowboarding easier and help prevent injury.
• Use the right equipment, including snowboarding boots (soft ones for beginners). Start with an all-purpose snowboard.
• Learn from a trained instructor in good weather.
• Wear wristguards made for snowboarding or in-line skating. This is particularly important for novice snowboarders. If you don't use wristguards, keep your hands in a closed fist position, which prevents falling on a hyperextended wrist.
• Consider using ski poles, particularly for beginners who are more likely to fall. Take lessons from an instructor who utilizes the ski-pole technique.
• Wear a helmet. The back of the head is a frequent impact area, especially for beginning snowboarders.
• Pick a skiing area that allows snowboarders. Use slopes that have packed snow and are not crowded. Avoid icy slopes.

Each year, Medical College of Wisconsin physicians care for more than 180,000 patients, representing nearly 500,000 patient visits. Medical College physicians practice at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, the Milwaukee VA Medical Center, and many other hospitals and clinics in Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin.