Knee injury in skiing. A multifaceted approach

During the past four ski seasons, all 1,141 ski injuries which occurred in a large northern Vermont ski area were evaluated prospectively. Of these injuries, 21.6% involved knee ligaments and 18.6% involved sprains of the medial collateral ligament. Females sustained a disproportionately high incidence of Grade I medial collateral sprains, but suffered the more severe sprains at a rate similar to that of males. Individuals who were smaller, younger, less experienced, and less skilled sustained a higher incidence of Grade I injuries. Skiers suffering complete tears of the medial collateral ligament were no smaller, younger, or less skilled or experienced than our control population. Medial collateral sprains are produced primarily by external rotation and valgus forces. Two-mode release bindings are insensitive to several loading configurations which could produce knee sprains. Bindings which allow release in roll, shear, and twist at the heel, as well as twist at the toe and forward lean, appear to be necessary to protect the knee.