Snowboarding Thrills, Chills and Risk
U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team Doctor on Prevention of Common Injuries
- Wrists: The wrists are the most likely site of injury, because during a forward fall the snowboarder will frequently outstretch the hands to break the fall, placing the stress of the impact on the wrist. In fact, according to data from the ongoing Scottish Snow Sports Safety Study, almost 25 percent of all snowboard- related injuries involve the wrists.
- Shoulders and elbows: The shoulders and elbows are also common sites for injuries during snowboarding, because either a forward or backward fall can lead to the rider extending the arms to break the fall, and placing the stress of the impact on those joints as well.
- Head: The head is a critical area of increased injury risk in snowboarding. Backward falls in which speed or another factor prevents the rider from breaking the fall with an arm or hand can sometimes result in concussions or even skull fractures if the head makes impact with the snow. "Wearing a helmet is advised," says Dr. Plancher. "The professionals do it, and so should the recreational snowboarders."
- Ankles: The ankles can be at risk for injury, particularly if the boots chosen fit poorly or fail to offer the right amount of support. "Boots that are too inflexible can result in a leg fracture above the boot's top edge, but too little support can lead to broken bones in the ankle or foot," says Dr. Plancher. In fact, the ongoing Scottish study confirms that lower extremity fractures are more common than sprains in snowboarding, while the exact opposite is true for skiing.
Want to see more?
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families. 
