Common Skiing and Snowboarding Injuries

Colorado is home to some of the greatest ski resorts in the entire world, but when it comes to staying on the slopes, it is critical to maintain your foot health. Uncomfortable ski boots, cold weather conditions, and difficult terrain can all affect your performance and cause foot and ankle injuries. In this blog, Foot & Ankle Center of the Rockies is offering tips to help you stay stable and avoid any damage that might slow you down!

Ill-Fitting Ski and Snowboard Boots 

Finding the perfect fit for ski and snowboard boots can be a difficult task. You want to ensure the boots maintain adequate stability while not compressing any bony prominences or foot joints. 

• If boots are too tight, you may develop pain in the lateral foot, over the ankle joints, or over an existing bunion deformity.
• Typically, the affected area will be red, swollen, or bruised. This can be alleviated by having an area of the boot widened to allow for more space. 
• If boots are too loose, it allows you to lean back too far. This can result in bruised and painful toenails. 

If you are experiencing pain in your feet while skiing and snowboarding, make sure to bring your boots into our clinic so your podiatrist can evaluate the fit!

Cold Injuries

A common winter sports injury involves exposure to the elements. Cold exposure can cause injury to the soft tissues of toes and feet.

There are several different cold exposure pathologies, including but not limited to:

• Chilblains- Causes red and painful sores on the tips of toes. 
• Raynaud’s Phenomenon- Severe cramping pain while exposed to cold due to lack of blood flow
• Frostbite- Severe soft tissue injury due to prolonged exposure to the cold

These conditions can be managed with boot heaters and avoidance of severe weather conditions. Topical and oral medications might work as well.

Traumatic injuries

Like all sports, skiing and snowboarding are not without risk of traumatic injury. The most common of these injuries to the foot and ankle include:

• Ankle sprains and fractures
• Toe fractures
• Tendinitis
• Plantar fasciitis

It is crucial to seek medical attention for these traumatic injuries, so if you’re affected, get in touch with our podiatrists. Early evaluation and management are important to ensure that you can get back on the slopes and make the most of your ski season!

At Foot & Ankle Center of the Rockies, we offer a full range of podiatric services to patients with an emphasis on treatment specifically designed for you as an individual. Our practice is ready to serve your entire family with excellent care for the unique podiatric concerns of children, adults, and seniors. Whether you need a routine podiatric checkup, surgical or non-surgical treatment for a foot or ankle disorder, or custom orthotics to increase comfort and sports performance, Foot & Ankle Center of the Rockies is the right choice!