In skis ligament injuries occur as a result of a fall or overstrain. Symptoms of ligament injuries include severe pain, crackling, feeling loose in a joint, and a hematoma. What to do when your ligaments are injured? How is such an injury treated?
Ligament injuries in skiscan happen on a slope when the knee bends strongly inward and the ski does not come out. Theligament injurymay also occur as a result of a hit or fall, which causes the leg to collapse unnaturally. Sometimesknee ligament injuriesoccur as a result of overload, when the sedentary body suddenly forces intense effort. In such a case, a trivial trip or an unfortunate step on uneven ground is sometimes enough. Beginner skiers should be especially careful, because they are 10 times more likely to get injured than advanced skiers.
Ligament injuries on skis - symptoms
Very severe pain that occurs when a leg is hit or bent, a characteristic click or crunch in the knee at the time of injury, swelling and hematoma, initially a quick relief of pain and later increase with the progression of edema and hematoma. Immediately after the ligament injury, the skier can walk and even slide down the slope on his own. However, the discomfort increases over time and the swelling increases.
Ligament injuries on skis - first aid
The first thing to do in such a situation is to unload and immobilize the joint and apply a cold compress as soon as possible. Of course, an ice pack or a cold gel compress is best. All the time, keeping a cold compress on the knee, we go to the doctor, preferably to the orthopedic emergency room. At the doctor's office, it is necessary to perform an X-ray of the knee and an ultrasound scan. Then you can assess what has been damaged and the extent of the injury. If you cannot get to an orthopedist near the place where the accident happened - there is nothing to panic about. All you need to do is see your doctor for anti-swelling and anti-inflammatory agents and buy a joint immobilizing brace. Diagnostics can be done after returning home, after the post-traumatic inflammation in the knee has passed.
Ligament injuries on skis - what can happen
The knee joint is subjected to very high loads and has to be able to move in different waysplanes, so it is reinforced with eleven types of ligaments. Any of them can tear or rupture in the event of an injury. On the slope, however, the most common injuries of the anterior cruciate ligament and the tibial collateral ligament are: stretching, tearing or rupture of the ligament.
Ligament injuries on skis - treatment
Medical treatment depends on which ligament is injured and to what extent. The stretched ligaments only require relief from the knee joint and will recover on their own. Some torn ligaments will regenerate on their own. Occasionally, arthroscopy will be needed to remove tissue fragments from the joint. The most serious injury is a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament, which will not regenerate itself. Its reconstruction is needed. In place of the damaged ligament, two bundles of fibers taken from the thigh muscle are implanted. The patient returns to full fitness after about half a year after the surgery, if the rehabilitation process goes smoothly. The surgeon's intervention in rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament is necessary because the knee joint without this ligament becomes unstable and begins to wear excessively, and soon the meniscus and cartilage are damaged. An untreated knee is damaged within 10-15 years of a ligament injury.