Knee Injuries in Downhill Skiers: A 6-Year Survey Study.

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Biomechanics
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Knee injuries represent a significant portion of skiing-related injuries.
• Previous research has identified various knee injury mechanisms in skiers, but their frequencies vary across studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the most prevalent knee injury mechanisms among recreational downhill skiers.
• To analyze injury frequencies in relation to demographic factors.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive epidemiological study was conducted over six ski seasons.
• Data were collected from 541 skiers with acute knee injuries via surveys, recording injury mechanisms and demographic information.

Main Results:

• Valgus-external rotation (32.9%) was the most common injury mechanism, followed by phantom foot (22.5%) and hyperextension (19.0%).
• The phantom foot mechanism was more prevalent in the 30-40 age group (36.3%).
• Advanced skiers showed a higher incidence of valgus-external rotation injuries (51.5%). Youth skiers experienced more frequent binding releases (53.7%) compared to adults.

Conclusions:

• Valgus-external rotation is the leading cause of knee injuries in recreational skiers.
• The phantom foot mechanism is more common in skiers aged 30-40.
• While injury mechanisms are similar between children and adults, youth skiers are more prone to binding releases. Female skiers showed a higher prevalence of injuries in this cohort.