Avoid Ski and Snowboard Injuries with Tips from Orthopedic Surgeon

As an avid skier, Dr. Taylor Dunphy is all about preparation before you begin skiing and snowboarding. The orthopedic sports medicine surgeon at Hoag Orthopedic Institute shares that preparation starts before you get on the slope. Here are some of the tips Dr. Dunphy shared with KTLA to get avoid injury during ski and snowboard season:

Q: How do you avoid injury during ski season?

A: Three things I like to do before I hit the slopes- strength training, stretching, including during, and hydration. I often bring a camel back with me to ensure I stay hydrated on the slopes.

Q: What are the most common ski and snowboard injuries?

A: Most common injuries are with the knee for skiers and shoulder injuries for snowboarders. I see a lot of sprains, strains and tears from skiers, specifically with their knees. Snowboarders tend to have more hand and wrist and shoulder injuries due to the way they land.

Q: When should you seek medical attention for an injury on the slopes?

A: Injury on the slopes fall into two categories – bad or minor. For bad injuries where you feel like you cannot move without pain call the ski patrol and ski down with a buddy. For minor injuries, get to the bottom of the slope, get yourself to an orthopedist, get checked out to make sure it isn’t something more serious.