Skiing/Snowboarding?

Question

Hi all!

My husband is a Youth Director for a local church and this Saturday we are taking the kids skiing. I've skiied in the past a handful of times, but not recently. About a year and a half ago I dislocated my left knee cap and tore some ligaments. I haven't had any problems with my knee since then aside from some weakness and tenderness with a lot of physical activity.

I'm concerned if I ski/snowboard I may twist it and aggrevate the old injury, so I'm planning on bracing it to be on the safe side and babying it a bit. My question is: what would be less risky, skiing or snowboarding? Note that I've never snowboarded. Also, I've heard about skiis that are called short twin tipped skis (a.k.a. skiblades or snowblades)....they only come up to your knees in height if stood on one end. Are these for more advanced skiiers or could they be a good alternative to traditional skis?

Thanks in advance for your help!! :)

Answer 1

I would use the short twin tipped skis

Answer 2

Go skiing, take a lesson from a qualified professional instructor, explain what the concerns are.  Do use the knee brace, stay on a slope that you are very comfortable skiing.  Your boots should fit very TIGHT,  wax your skiis so they will slide easily, control your speed by turning across the hill, Balance on the full foot, Edge your skiis, and enjoy yourself.

Answer 3

Stay with REAL skis...not the short ski blades. They have less edge area and thus are actually harder to control if you are not used to skiing.

I have been skiing with bad left knee for years. I've had bone problems for years and two years ago I tore the ACL. I too have had PT, but no surgery.

If you have a good prescription brace (ie. Donjoy) then definitely wear it. If not, get a neoprene brace from the drugstore. That's all I really wear. I don't have a Donjoy style brace, and I rarely have pain when skiing.

Keep some Ibuprofin on hand. (I usually pop a few BEFORE a long day of skiing.) You will have some inflamation. Try to work on yoour flexibility this week and stretch before you ski as well.

Take it easy and have fun. If you start to fall...just let it happen. Keeping relaxed will decrease your chances of pulling or tearing something.

Answer 4

skiing.  When you fall on a board the natural instinct is to try and control the board while you are falling and that twists your knees.  I have been a boarer for the last 17 years and I have blown my knee out twice.  Never on a board but if I didn't know what I was doing I would have done significant damage to the knee on my lead leg.  Skis will pop off the boot the board will not.