As of: February 8, 2024, 10:32 a.m
By: Christoph Zöllner
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Removal in Akia: Mountain rescuers bring an injured winter sports athlete down to the valley.
© Panther Media
The risk of injury on the slopes is particularly high during the carnival holidays - also because there are many inexperienced fair-weather skiers in Munich's local mountains.
DSV chief physician Dr.
Manuel Köhne explains where the dangers lurk.
Now it's dusting again - at least where it's still cold enough and there's enough snow.
This week, a particularly large number of winter sports enthusiasts are indulging in their hobby, including numerous families with school-age children.
But despite all the anticipation, caution is also advised.
“Skiing is a risky sport.
In addition, modern carving technology enables even inexperienced skiers to travel at relatively high speeds.
Among other things, there are more and more clashes.
The consequences can be dramatic,” warns Dr.
Manuel Köhne, the senior team doctor of the German national alpine ski team.
Dr.
Manuel Köhne from the Munich Orthopedic Surgery Practice (OCM).
© Photo: OCM
Heavy snow, weaker skiers: there is now greater danger on the slopes
Particular caution is required now.
In the second half of the ski season the snow often becomes heavier and sulky, especially in the afternoon.
This increases the risk of injury.
Also remember that in such conditions some skiers may not have great control of their skis.
“Especially during Carnival there are a lot of fair-weather riders who only get on the boards once a year and have little practice,” says Köhne.
“If you recognize that someone is unsure, you should keep a little more distance than usual.”
One in five ski injuries occurs in a collision
Last season alone, around 44,000 Brettl fans were injured and 7,400 were hospitalized - a significant increase compared to the previous season.
This is reported by the evaluation center for ski accidents of the German Ski Association.
Perhaps the most worrying aspect: one in five ski injuries can now be traced back to a so-called collision accident.
Some end fatally.
A man (64) recently died in Nauders after a crash with a 16-year-old on a blue slope.
Falls beyond the edge of the piste have already claimed several lives this winter, also in the area of supposedly easy slopes.
A 14-year-old local girl crashed into a tree at the Seefeld Rosshütte.
“Unfortunately, no one is immune from skiing accidents. There is no guarantee that nothing will happen, even for the best skiers, as can be seen from the major falls of well-trained top athletes such as Aleksander Aamodt Kilde or Mikaela Shiffrin in World Cup races.
But especially as a hobby skier, you can do a lot to make it as safe as possible on the slopes,” says Köhne.
In our newspaper, the orthopedist and knee specialist from the Munich Orthopedic Surgery Group Practice (OCM) gives practical tips on how to reduce your risk of injury.
Dr.
Manuel Köhne: Adjusting the ski bindings is the be-all and end-all
The most important thing is to have the ski binding settings checked.
“Especially for women, they shouldn’t be too harsh,” warns Köhne and refers to a scientific study that
was published in the
British Journal of Medicine .
It became clear that in around 60 to 80 percent of cases of knee injuries, the binding had not previously opened.
Apparently they were triggered even less frequently in women than in men.
“In addition, female knee joints are more susceptible to cruciate ligament injuries due to their special anatomy.
Women have three times the risk compared to men.
“
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Especially if you have gained or lost weight over the year, you should check your bindings before your first descent.
“The ski boots should also fit well and be no older than five years and should be replaced after ten years at the latest.
After that, they generally become increasingly less stable.” Ski service is also an important investment – even if the last one wasn’t that long ago.
A fresh edge grinding can give weaker skiers more control over the boards in icy artificial snow conditions and thus offer a decisive safety advantage.
DSV team doctor warns against overestimating oneself
If you haven't been on skis for a long time, are untrained or are generally unsure of skiing, it's better to head to a family ski area with good-natured slopes rather than carelessly rushing down steep slopes or bumpy ski routes.
“It is important not to overestimate yourself.
“You shouldn’t try to compete with much better skiers,” says Köhne.
You then automatically increase the effort and often necessarily also the risk.
It would be better to meet at the hut later.
If you have had major injuries and/or operations in the past, you should have your physical status checked by an orthopedist before skiing.
“For example, after a cruciate ligament tear or the insertion of a knee prosthesis, you should make sure whether your muscles are strong enough for skiing again.
This can also be assessed objectively with the so-called back-to-sports test, which many physiotherapy practices offer today,” advises Köhne.
Don't underestimate fluid loss when skiing
When skiing, you sometimes travel at higher altitudes and wear warm clothing.
You also sweat more easily - sometimes without noticing it because you're out in the cold.
“This causes the body to lose fluids.
To compensate for this, you should take breaks and drink a lot, ideally non-alcoholic drinks,” advises Köhne.
Modern carving skis enable even inexperienced skiers to reach high speeds
Many people misjudge this: “With modern carving skis you can quickly reach speeds of 40 to 50 km/h and you should ask yourself whether you can still control your skis well at this speed, even in surprising situations,” Köhne points out.
“Even on flat slopes, a bump can be enough to throw the skier off balance.”
When and where most skiing injuries happen
Most skiing injuries happen on the first or last descent of the ski day.
“Those affected often didn’t warm up in the morning or simply ran out of energy in the afternoon,” analyzes Köhne.
“You don't necessarily have to do jumping jacks on the slopes, but maybe just warm up for two or three minutes - run in a circle, do a few squats or jump carefully from one leg to the other.
When making your first turns you should also drive with the handbrake on.
And if you prefer to take the gondola in the afternoon instead of the often already battered and overcrowded valley run, you will definitely not miss anything.”
Dr.
Manuel Köhne, here at the World Ski Championships in France last winter, is the senior team doctor for the German alpine ski aces.
© Photo: private
Nowadays there are fewer waiting times at the lifts, and most lifts are much faster than before.
As a result, many meters of altitude can accumulate over the course of a long day of skiing, in larger areas it can easily reach 7,000 to 10,000. “You simply ski a lot more in the same time than before.
If you're out and about from morning to afternoon, you should definitely take at least one break, more likely two or three - especially if you feel your legs getting heavy.
Tired muscles also increase the risk of falls and injuries,” warns Köhne.
In view of the increasing number of collisions, the following applies: Never go on the slopes without a helmet - tourers should also put one on when climbing up.
If you spend a lot of time off-road, you should also wear a back protector.
“Protecting the spine is particularly advisable for children and young people on the slopes,” says Köhne.
Ski chief physician Dr.
Köhne: Take special care at piste intersections
“A particularly large number of accidents happen at piste intersections.
You should approach slowly and stop if you are not sure whether other skiers are braking.
However, please stay at the edge of the piste and not behind a hilltop,” says Köhne.
“And before you drive off, please take a quick look behind you to see if anyone is coming from above.”