As we approach Spring, Mr Granville-Chapman offers advice on how to prevent an injury on the slopes.
If you are concerned about injury, consider:
Moderating your speed and terrain to reduce your fall risk
Being aware of snow conditions to help you avoid trouble
Maintaining good core stability, balance and endurance
If you already have an injury or an unstable shoulder and wish to go skiing, then you may wish to wear a shoulder brace. Commercially available braces aim to achieve a reduced risk of dislocation by:
1. Improving your shoulder position awareness and muscle control
People with shoulder instability lose their joint position awareness. This means they are slow to engage corrective muscle actions to prevent dislocation. A snugly-fitting neoprene brace, or taping can improve the feedback from your skin and help 'tell your brain where your shoulder is'. This can help you control your shoulder. This is the same principle that ‘K-taping’ uses (the thick adhesive tape you may have seen strapped over athletes’ joints).
2. Limiting access to the ‘vulnerable shoulder position’ for dislocation
In 90% of shoulder dislocations the head comes out forwards. The vulnerable position is with the arm raised away from your body and with your forearm pointing skywards. These braces restrict the forearm rotation and therefore aim to reduce the likelihood of a dislocation. An example brace is the Donjoy shoulder stabilizer, but many manufacturers offer similar products.
In general, to avoid injury it is best to ski within your limits of expertise and confidence. If you have a pre-existing problem with your shoulder, take extra care.
If you are unfortunate enough to injure yourself while skiing, do seek appropriate medical attention in resort, but remember that most upper limb problems can safely wait until you get home to be treated. You can find more information on shoulder and elbow injuries at www.windsorupperlimb.com or book an appointment - call Kate on 01753 540208.