Ski injuries can occur both on and off the mountain. From falling and dislocating your knee on the slope, to a lingering painful sensation in your ankle after you’ve gotten back to the cabin– injuries are common. As skiing is generally regarded as a fun winter hobby, it’s likely that some of us forgo the necessary preparation for the physical demand of the sport. When you’ve experienced an acute injury, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care North Bergen. This blog will explore a few common ski injuries, how to prevent them, and where to seek medical care.
What are common ski injuries?
Skiing is a high-intensive sport that unfortunately, causes many accidents and injuries each year. You’re at risk for injuries whether you’re a beginner or advanced skier. Most ski injuries impact the knee, but can generally impact any part of the body.
Just a few common injuries resulted from skiing include:
- ACL rupture or sprain
- MCL rupture or sprain
- Sprains and dislocations
- Head injuries, whiplash and concussion
- Wrist and thumb fractures
- Scratches and bruises
How can I best prevent getting injured while skiing?
When it comes to skiing, preparation is everything. Although the winter sport is extremely popular, it’s also one of the most high-risk sports for accidents and injuries. This doesn’t mean you fully have to miss out on all the fun skiing has to offer, but you should be aware of what could happen. The more you prepare, the less likely you are to get injured. Skiing is a very physically demanding sport, so it’s essential that you maintain a good physical fitness level before hitting the slopes. Additionally, you can reduce your risk of injury by prioritizing warm-up exercises to condition your body and muscles beforehand.
Also, take it slow! Skiing to your ability is very important for beginners. Consider taking a few lessons to better understand how your specific technique can improve in order to reduce the risk of injury. And with any sport, always wear protective equipment– including a proper helmet.
Should I go to urgent care or ER for ski injuries?
Where you seek medical attention depends on the severity of your injury. Urgent care centers, like AFC North Bergen, are equipped with the necessary means to comprehensively treat acute injuries. This includes dislocations, sprains, features, cuts needing stitches and bruises. However, if your injury is more severe, you should seek treatment at an emergency room. ER is best suited to treat injuries where the bone is visible or the pain is intense. Using your best judgment is important when it comes to finding the appropriate care in your situation. Should you experience a minor injury after your ski trip, please don’t hesitate to visit our walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care North Bergen for efficient and convenient injury care.
Visit AFC Urgent Care North Bergen for Acute Injury Care
Accidents happen, as much as we may try to prevent them. Whenever you’ve experienced an acute injury– whether you were skiing or not– visit AFC North Bergen for quality injury care. Our medical providers can examine your condition and help you understand the best path to recovery. The clinic is open seven days a week, making injury treatment accessible whenever you need it. We offer low costs for our self-pay patients, and accept most major health insurances. If you have any further questions about how to prevent ski injuries, please contact our office directly at (201) 588-1300.
