While the majority of snowboarding injuries are related to the wrists, knee injuries have become more common as the sport has continued to progress. Compared to alpine skiers, snowboarders are actually at a lower risk of tearing their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during a high-speed fall. Taking a few simple precautions will help to prevent the likelihood of a debilitating knee injuries.
Slope Style
Slope style snowboarders are probably at the greatest risk of tearing their ACL. As opposed to more recreational forms of riding, slope stylers spend their time perfecting long distance jumps that involve flips and spins. According to the website Ski-Injury.com, when attempting a high-altitudue trick, snowboarders often tear their ACL by overshooting the landing ramp. Misjudging the distance of the jump may cause a landing on flat terrain, which will make the knees absorb the full force of the aerial maneuver.
Backcountry
Because they prefer an off-piste terrain, backcountry snowboarders are also at risk of tearing their ACL. Backcountry boarders prefer to ride outside the confines of a snowboarding resort. As a result, they are commonly snowboarding across an ungroomed terrain that is covered with deep deposits of powdered snow. Without the proper riding technique, their boards will sink into the snow during high-speed maneuvers. This will make the knees bend unnaturally and it could result in an ACL tear.
Downhill
While downhill snowboarding is one of the most exhilarating riding disciplines, it is also one of the most dangerous. The elongated deck and narrow waist of the downhill snowboard allows you to reach breakneck speeds with ease. Due to the abundance of high-speed crashes and slide outs, knee injuries are common among downhill racers. Colliding with a fellow competitor could send you tumbling across the riding terrain. This may cause your knees to twist painfully, resulting in an ACL tear.
Knee Protection
Snowboarders often take certain precautions to prevent the likelihood of knee injuries. Riders who have been afflicted by a previous knee-injury often wear a custom fitted brace. This helps to prevent the knee bending unnaturally during a high-impact jump. The website X Sports Protective.com recommends wearing a pair of knee pads to protect knees from hard collisions with trees and other riders. Choose a pair of soft shelled knee pads to maintain a full range of knee motion, it says.
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