What’s Your Worst Snowboard Injury?
In the video “What’s Your Worst Snowboard Injury?” by SnowboardProCamp, the host interviews ten snowboarders about their most severe injuries while riding. The interviewees share a range of experiences, from minor concussions and broken thumbs to major injuries like torn ACLs and compressed vertebrae. Each person describes their journey to recovery, highlighting the importance of patience, rehabilitation, and staying positive throughout the healing process. Additionally, some individuals mention injuries sustained during mountain biking, emphasizing the risks associated with other extreme sports. Overall, this video offers valuable insights into the challenges snowboarders face and the resilience required to overcome injuries in pursuit of their passion.
Snowboarders’ Worst Injuries
Snowboarding is an exhilarating sport that combines the thrill of speed with the beauty of snow-covered mountains. However, like any adventure sport, it comes with its fair share of risks and potential injuries. In this article, we will explore some of the worst injuries that snowboarders can experience, how they occur, and how riders overcome them to get back on their boards.
Concussion
One of the most common injuries that snowboarders face is a concussion. A concussion occurs when the brain is jolted or shaken within the skull, usually as a result of a blow to the head. This can happen when a snowboarder falls and hits their head on the ground or another hard object.
Minor Concussion
For many snowboarders, a concussion may only be a minor one that lasts for a short period. These minor concussions typically resolve themselves within a few minutes, and the individual can continue snowboarding without any long-lasting effects.
Quick Recovery
In cases where a snowboarder experiences a minor concussion, they usually recover quickly and are back on the slopes within a short amount of time. It is crucial, however, for individuals to listen to their bodies and seek medical attention if they experience persistent symptoms or suspect a more severe concussion.
Thumb Injury
Another injury that snowboarders often face is a thumb injury. This can occur when a snowboarder falls and lands on their outstretched hand, causing the thumb to be bent or twisted in an unnatural position.
Thumb Caught in Corrugated Pipe
One snowboarder shared their experience of getting their thumb caught in a corrugated pipe while attempting a 50-50 rail trick. This resulted in a severe injury that almost required surgery. Thankfully, they were fortunate enough to avoid surgery but still experienced lingering effects from the injury.
Almost Needed Surgery
Thumb injuries can be particularly debilitating for snowboarders as they heavily rely on their hands to grip their boards and perform various tricks. While some thumb injuries may require surgery, others can be managed with physiotherapy and rest, allowing riders to regain their snowboarding skills over time.
ACL Tear
Snowboarders also risk tearing their ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), a major stabilizing ligament in the knee. This can happen when a rider lands awkwardly on their knee or twists it forcefully, causing the ligament to tear.
Valuable Knee Injury
An ACL tear is considered one of the more severe injuries a snowboarder can experience. It often requires intensive rehabilitation and, in some cases, surgery to repair the damaged ligament. Recovery from an ACL tear can take up to a year, during which snowboarding is off-limits to allow the knee to heal properly.
One Year of Rehab
Snowboarders who tear their ACL must commit to a rigorous rehabilitation program that focuses on strengthening the knee and surrounding muscles. This includes exercises like physical therapy, strength training, and flexibility training. While the road to recovery may be long and challenging, many snowboarders have successfully overcome ACL tears and returned to the sport they love.
Tailbone Injury
A tailbone injury is another common type of injury that snowboarders can encounter. This occurs when a rider falls or lands forcefully on their tailbone, usually on hard or icy snow.
Firm Icy Snow as a Beginner
Many beginners experience tailbone injuries due to their lack of experience in snowboarding. Falling backward and landing directly on the tailbone can cause extreme pain and discomfort.
Persistent Pain
Tailbone injuries can be particularly troublesome as they often result in persistent pain that can last for years. Even after the initial injury, snowboarders may still feel discomfort in their tailbone region, leading to a decreased ability to fully enjoy and perform on the slopes.
Importance of Impact Shorts
To prevent tailbone injuries, especially for beginners, wearing impact shorts is highly recommended. These shorts are specifically designed to provide extra padding and protection to the tailbone area. They are often made with shock-absorbing materials that help cushion the impact of falls and minimize the risk of injury.
Back Injury
Snowboarders also face the risk of back injuries, which can range from sprains and strains to more severe conditions like compressed vertebrae.
Compressed L1 Vertebrae
One snowboarder shared their experience of overshooting a jump and landing flat on their back, resulting in a compressed L1 vertebrae. This injury occurred early in their snowboarding journey and led to a rollercoaster of emotions.
Trip to Look Forward to
To cope with the emotional impact of a back injury, having something positive to look forward to can be beneficial. In this snowboarder’s case, they found solace in the anticipation of a future trip. Planning and preparing for a trip after recovery can provide a sense of purpose and motivation to get back on the board.
Getting Over the Emotional Impact
Dealing with a back injury and the physical limitations that come with it can be mentally challenging. It is essential for snowboarders to be patient with themselves, seek support from loved ones, and engage in activities that promote emotional well-being during the recovery process. Over time, many snowboarders are able to overcome the emotional impact of a back injury and return to snowboarding.
Shoulder Injury
Shoulder injuries are also prevalent among snowboarders, often occurring when a rider falls and lands directly on their shoulder.
Hard Landing on Shoulder
One snowboarder described a terrifying experience of landing hard on their shoulder while attempting a backside 360 jump. This led to initial recovery time of two weeks, followed by surgery and an extended recovery process.
Two Weeks Recovery
While two weeks may seem like a short recovery time, it is essential for snowboarders to allow their bodies to rest and heal properly after a shoulder injury. Rushing back into snowboarding without proper recovery can lead to further complications and prolong the healing process.
Surgery and Long Recovery Process
In some cases, shoulder injuries may require surgical intervention to repair damaged ligaments, tendons, or bones. The recovery process after surgery can be lengthy and may involve physiotherapy and ongoing exercises to regain strength and mobility in the shoulder joint.
Continued Physiotherapy
Even after the initial recovery period, snowboarders may need to continue with physiotherapy to maintain the health and strength of the shoulder. This ongoing commitment is crucial for preventing future injuries and ensuring a safe return to snowboarding.
Mountain Biking Injuries
While snowboarding injuries take center stage, it is worth mentioning that snowboarders may also face injuries while engaging in other outdoor activities. Mountain biking, for example, can pose its own set of risks and potential injuries.
Concussions and Broken Arm
Snowboarders who enjoy mountain biking may experience injuries such as concussions from falls or collisions and even broken bones, like a fractured arm. These injuries can impact their snowboarding abilities and require recovery time away from both sports.
Right Arm Fracture
One snowboarder shared their experience of breaking their right arm while snowboarding in Whistler. This occurred when their hand got stuck in the front chest, and they were dragged along the ground.
Hand Stuck and Dragged
Fracturing the arm, particularly the dominant arm, can significantly affect a snowboarder’s ability to ride. The recovery process may involve wearing a cast or brace, undergoing physiotherapy, and gradually regaining strength and range of motion in the injured arm.
Recovery and Positive Attitude
Overcoming a broken arm requires patience, optimism, and a positive attitude. Snowboarders who maintain a positive mindset and focus on their recovery goals are more likely to overcome their injuries and return to the sport they love.
Conclusion
Snowboarding, like any sport, carries inherent risks of injury. However, with proper precautions, training, and a positive mindset, snowboarders can minimize these risks and enjoy the exhilaration of gliding down the slopes. Understanding the potential injuries, taking preventative measures, and seeking appropriate medical attention are essential steps for both preventing injuries and recovering from them. So, whether you’re a seasoned snowboarder or a beginner hitting the slopes for the first time, stay safe, take care of your body, and keep shredding!