Snowboarding can a pretty physically intense sport. Although the snowboarding has plenty of thrills there are also associated risks. Beginners and those who like to take snowboarding to the extreme can often experience injuries. Although wrist injuries are one of the most common injuries, snowboarding can take a toll on your knees. Getting on and off the ski lift can strain your tendons and completing jumps or tricks can cause tears in the ligaments of the joint.
Understanding the Knee Joint
To recover from injuries or prevent future injuries it is important to understand your knee joint and its range-of-motion. In you knee, you will find four bones along with a network of tendons, ligaments, and muscles. All of these parts work together to flex and extend your leg. In between the bones of your kee there are cartilage pads, also know as a meniscus, this helps your bones glide without rubbing up against one another. The muscles in the upper and lower leg help to power your movements and add to the overall strength of the joint. If the joint receives any injury, it can be quite painful and result in a decrease in range-of-motion.
The Challenges of the Chairlift
When you are getting on or off the chairlift, you essentially become a skier, but with only one ski. Compared to snowboarders, skiers experience knee injuries far more frequently. Jumping on and off the chairlift is the only time that your feet aren’t attached to your board making you more prone to injury. With one foot out your binding, your board will feel really awkward and the twisting force is applied to the knee joint. A sudden fall on the entry or exit on the chairlift, can cause a sudden twist that may lead to an injured knee ligament or tendon.
Overusing Your Knee
As you glide down the slope, your knees are usually bent, which will help to absorb any shock and promote the movements of lower legs. Bending your knees can put a lot of stress of your quadriceps which are attach to your knee joint. Overusing this muscle and tendon cause create inflammation which later can result in knee pain. Additionally, if you are a beginner and don’t use those muscles as often, it can cause stress on your tendons.
