1. The Tennis Elbow of Winter Sports
Along with the growing popularity of snowboarding comes an injury rarely if ever seen outside of a ski resort: snowboarder's ankle. Known medically as lateral talus fracture, snowboarder's ankle is the fracture of the talus bone, found at the outer part of the ankle (directly above the heel) where the bottom of the fibula and tibia of the calf meet the top of the foot. Snowboarding increases this injury so much that those participating in this sport are fifteen times more likely to suffer from it than anyone in the general populace.
2. More Than Just a Sprain
Snowboarder's ankle displays all the signs of a sprain, and is usually treated as such. Pain and swelling is consistent with a severe sprain. Pain and tenderness is present at the lateral malleolus (bony prominence of the outer ankle). Bruising in the area is also a symptom of this type of injury. When snowboarder's jump and land, especially on uneven ground, they increase the risk of rolling their ankle outward after the toes have been brought up toward the shin, causing the talus fracture.
3. A Most Elusive Injury
Snowboarder's ankle is almost never an initial diagnosis. As this injury accounts for less than one percent of all ankle injuries, most doctors have had little or no exposure to it. Nearly all patients are released from the doctor's office or hospital on crutches, perhaps in a soft cast, with what is believed to be a severe ankle sprain. The talus bone does not show up well on X-rays, and thus the injury is often missed. It is important to be evaluated by an orthopedic surgeon if you have suffered any type of ankle injury while snowboarding.
4. Possible Treatments
Getting the proper diagnosis is the only chance you have of recovering from snowboarder's ankle. Improper diagnosis and treatment can lead to the bone not healing correctly, resulting in an increased risk of arthritis and disability (because of the nature of this injury, even proper diagnosis and treatment may still lead to these complications). Ice packs, six weeks on crutches and a removable plastic cast is the usual course of treatment for snowboarder's ankle (only after a CT scan has confirmed a talus fracture). Surgery is required if the fracture is displaced, or if there are bone fragments that must be removed.
5. Don't Let Snowboarder's Ankle Get You Down
As with any injury, prevention is the best treatment for snowboarder's ankle. Wearing good snowboarding boots that both provide stability and allow flexibility of the ankle can go a long way toward preventing this injury. Keep jumping, particularly on uneven surfaces, to a minimum. Get proper training in snowboarding techniques so you know what you're doing out there on the slopes and your ankles will thank you in the long run.
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