Preventing Ski Injuries

Skiing is one of the most popular outdoor activities and many people can’t wait to hit the slopes as soon as the snow falls. But too many of them end up really hitting the slopes hard enough to do significant damage to their bodies. Skiing injuries can be quite serious depending on the speed and force involved in the accident. If you are injured while skiing you should always get checked out by a doctor even if the injury seems minor to you. There could be more damage than you think.

How to Prevent Ski Injuries

Not all accidents are preventable, but there are things that you can do to lower the risk of having a fall or injury while you’re skiing. There are also things that you can do to minimize the damage caused by a fall if you do fall. Some ways to prevent ski injuries include:

• Wearing a helmet always.
• Wearing sunglasses or goggles to protect your eyes.
• Always check weather conditions and don’t ski if the conditions are poor.
• Stay hydrated.
• Dress for the cold weather.
• Warm up first.
• Check your ski bindings, your boots, and other equipment to make sure they’re in good shape.
• Stay in pairs or groups.
• Avoid skiing in low light.

It’s also important to learn ski lift safety and behave appropriately on the ski lift so that you can avoid injuries before you even get to the slopes.

Types of Ski Injuries Treated At Urgent Care

Many of the most common injuries that occur while skiing can be diagnosed and treated at urgent care. ACL tears and MCL tears, which are two of the most common skiing injuries, can be diagnosed and treated initially at urgent care. At urgent care a doctor can order scans like X-rays and MRIs to see how bad the damage is while giving you immediate care that will help prevent further damage while the injury is being assessed.

Broken bones, sprains, and strains can also be diagnosed and treated at urgent care facilities. If you bump your head in a fall it’s also a good idea to have a doctor at urgent care check you for a concussion. Even slight impacts can cause a concussion.

When to Visit Urgent Care Vs. The Emergency Room

Emergency rooms are crowded and often you will be waiting a long time. Urgent care has less wait and they’re less expensive too. In general any injury that isn’t life threatening can be treated at urgent care. But if you have a serious head injury, or an injury that is going to require surgery then go right to the emergency room and don’t wait for a referral.