Physiotherapy For Snowboard Injuries
Snowboarding injuries are more common among novice boarders than professionals. Some reasons are improper balance, conditioning and not wearing proper gear. Snowboarding injuries may run the gamut from contusions, concussions, fractures to spinal cord or traumatic brain injuries.
There are a number of factors that can predispose the snow enthusiast to injury and the most common include:
- The amount of time spent snowboarding without rest
- Snowboarding above ability level
- Improper or faulty equipment
- Dehydration/fatigue
- Snowboarding off trail or in closed areas
- Failure to observe posted warning signs of the mount responsibility conduct code
Fortunately, most injuries are minor and can be treated with rest, bracing and anti-inflammatory measures; however, some of the fractures and ligament injuries may require the skill of a surgeon and recovery periods of 3-6 months or more.
The following are methods of physiotherapy you should incorporate, in case you suffer from the following types of snowboarding related injuries.
Head Injuries & Concussions
Prevention
Crashes with natural objects, such as hard snow surfaces or ice can cause serious head injuries. As a result, helmets are an essential component of any snowboarder’s protective gear.
Regardless of your abilities – whether you’ll be performing freestyle tricks or not – it is essential that you wear a snowboard helmet at all times. Remember that even a low speed, back slip on the back of your head can already cause serious head injury.
Keep in mind that wearing a helmet while snowboarding does not make you invincible. There is no proof that wearing a helmet will protect you from death or serious injury. For example, if you are going at or above the speed of a normal intermediate boarder (40-60 km/h) and collide with a static object (such as a tree). If you’re going to calculate the gravity of the impact, the forces involved with such a collision are way beyond the capacity of all modern helmets.
Still, snowboard helmets are expected to be of benefit in more minor impacts, glancing blows and other similar mishaps.
Rehabilitation Physio
A concussion is a brain injury that occurs when the brain is shaken inside the skull, causing changes in the brain’s chemistry and energy supply. It might happen as a result of a direct blow to the head or an indirect force, such as whiplash. You might or might not lose consciousness.
Physical therapists can evaluate and treat many problems related to concussion. Because no two concussions are the same, the physical therapist’s examination is essential to assess your individual symptoms and limitations. He then designs a treatment program that helps stop dizziness and improve your balance, along with reduce your headaches.
Knee Injuries
Prevention
The knees are the natural springs that absorb most of the shocks during snowboarding. Compared to skiing, knee injuries are less common and less severe in snowboarding for several reasons.
First, a snowboard only has two edges that can “catch” on snow as opposed to the four edges on skis. Second, snowboards tend to be shorter than skis; hence the “lever arm” of force produced by any twist is reduced.
Most knee injuries in snowboarding are caused by extremely hard collisions or impacts from unexpected angles or turning motions. To avoid such injuries, make sure you know your limitations. Keep in mind that as your snowboarding technique improves, your ability to absorb harder impacts will also intensify.
Rehabilitation Physio
Your physiotherapist will conduct a thorough assessment to determine the specific nature of the injury. The rehab process may include a combination of exercises to improve strength and flexibility.
Strengthening exercises for the quadriceps, hamstrings, and surrounding muscles help stabilize the knee joint. Range of motion exercises, stretching, and proprioceptive drills can enhance flexibility and balance.
Your physiotherapist may also use methods such as ultrasound to ease pain and reduce inflammation.
You therapist will guide you through a gradual return-to-sport program. This will ensure that the knee is healed and strengthened before resuming intense activity on the slopes. Regular communication with your physiotherapist and adherence to the prescribed exercises contribute to a successful recovery.
Ankle Fractures & Sprains
Prevention
Preventing a sprained ankle while snowboarding involves a combination of proper equipment, conditioning, and technique.
Firstly, ensure your snowboard boots provide adequate ankle support and a snug fit to minimize the risk of twisting or rolling your ankle. Additionally, invest in quality bindings that securely fasten your boots to the board.
Before hitting the slopes loosen your muscles with a quick warm-up. While doing this, pay particular attention to ankle mobility exercises. Strengthening exercises for the lower body can enhance stability and reduce the likelihood of injury.
When snowboarding, maintain a balanced stance with slightly bent knees. Make sure to distribute your weight evenly between both feet.
Practice controlled movements and avoid sudden jerks. Be mindful of the terrain to minimize the chances of an accidental twist or turn that could lead to a sprained ankle.
Finally, know your limits and progress gradually to more challenging slopes as your skills and confidence improve.
Rehabilitation Physio
Sprained ankle
A sprained ankle occurs when your ankle ligaments are overstretched. Ankle sprains vary in their severity, from mild “twisted ankle” or “rolled ankle” sprain through to severe complete ligament ruptures, avulsion fractures or broken bones.
Physiotherapy for sprains involve:
- Injury Protection, Pain Relief & Control Inflammation
- Regain Full Range of Motion
- Strengthen your Ankle and Calf Muscles
- Restore Joint Proprioception & Balance
- Restore Normal Function
- Speed & Agility
- Sport-Specific Skills
- Graduated Training
- Return to Competition
Broken ankle/foot
After 6 weeks of immobilization, the ankle can be fully loaded. There is no standardized rehabilitation program after cast removal. Each program is individually designed, as per usual.
Physiotherapists are often involved in the rehabilitation, which starts quickly (1 week) after the period of immobilization. Most people experience pain, swelling, stiffness, muscle atrophy and decreased muscle torque, impaired ankle mobility, impaired balance capacity and increased ankle circumference at the ankle after cast removal.
Passive joint mobilization is commonly used to work on the problems of pain and joint stiffness, in order to allow an earlier return to activities. For this technique, the physiotherapist manually glides the articular surfaces of a joint to produce oscillatory movements. It has been proven that manual therapy, such as joint mobilization, produces analgesic effects. It also increases elasticity of joint structures through interactions at the local, central nervous system and psychological levels.
If you land up with a snowboarding injuring that is not willing to heal, get in touch with a physiotherapist and solve it.
