Downhill, or Alpine skiing, is among the most popular of winter sports worldwide. It is
enjoyed by all age groups from the novice to the most talented individual. While muscoskeletal
injuries are due to falls and collisions, the nature of these injuries has changed recently, reflecting
in large part the change in the equipment and style.
The basic skiing position begins with the feet placed a hip width apart. The knees are flexed
in a forward lean to absorb bumps. the trunk is slightly bent at the waist and the arms are held
in front of the body. The hip flexors absorb bumps by pulling the knees upward or passively
by allowing the bumps to push the knees up.
The most common skiing injury is the ulner collateral ligament rupture of the thumb. This
injury is caused by the thumb being impacted against the snow during a fall. The second most common
injury is a grade III knee ligament sprain. This can be treated by a knee brace but if pain
lasts for more than 2.5 weeks consult doctor for other methods of treatment.
In recent years, considerable effort has been made to diminish risk factors inherent in alpine skiing. Specifics in safety prevention measures include information about ski equipment and binding design, standards for the preperation of slopes, and skier responsibility codes. It is commonly agreed that the development and use of modern ski equipment have contributed to the decline in injuries in downhill skiing. By using a ski pole specifically designed to prevent the thumb from being inserted into the snow during a fall, the frequency of thumb injuries was reduced from 4 to 2.8%.