Knee injuries are not as common in snowboarding as wrist or ankle damage, but tearing your meniscus is still possible, particularly when performing and landing half-pipe tricks. Snowboarding with a torn meniscus can be painful and may worsen the tear or lead to other injuries. Treatment often includes rest and rehabilitation exercises. Depending on your injury, you may also need surgery. Talk to your doctor if you experience knee pain and avoid activities that aggravate your pain.
Meniscus Information
Your knee has two pads of cartilage that separate your shin and thigh bones. Your medial and lateral menisci are C-shaped and situated near both the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments as well as the medial and lateral collateral ligaments. The menisci act as cushions, absorbing shock and preventing friction and damage to the bones and ligaments in your knee. Damage to either meniscus can cause pain and swelling in the joint.
Snowboarding Injuries
Knee injuries occur more frequently in alpine skiing, although snowboarders still sustain meniscus and other soft tissue tears. Snowboarders ride down a mountain or a half-pipe snow ramp with both feet attached with non-release bindings to a board. No poles are used; instead, your arms are free to aid in balance and touching down or pushing off of the slope. The highest rate of injuries occur to beginning snowboarders, while jumps are the second highest cause of injury. Jumps place additional stress on your knees, particularly if you land awkwardly or not at all.
Impact Injuries
Your knees absorb a tremendous amount of stress during the landing phase of a trick. Landing after performing a twisting or rotating trick places pressure on various places of your menisci. Repeated stress can wear down the cartilage cushion between bones. Not completing your jump properly by under- or overrotating exposes your knee joint to sheering or twisting forces as you land. According to MayoClinic.com, the meniscus is easily torn or ruptured if you put full weight on the knee while it is forcefully twisted or rotated.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the extent of your injury. Tears of the outer edge of the meniscus, which has adequate blood supply, may heal on their own with rest and rehabilitation. If your doctor approves, you might be able to participate in certain activities; however, snowboarding may put too much stress on the knee. Returning too soon reduces your chances of making a full recovery. Tears across the center of the pad or along the inside of the meniscus often require surgery. Without a strong nutrient supply, these areas take longer to heal. Talk to your doctor to develop a treatment and rehabilitation program to get you back on the slopes.
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