ligament advice?

From my experience of football injuries ( I have been coaching for 11 years) I would say that for proper assessment you need to see a sports physio. Doctors just tell you not to do anything, rest it, take it easy, whereas actually the best advice is to get the damaged area working as soon as possible, without overdoing it of course.

Knee ligament is a delicate area, but if your main leg muscles are well developed and reasonably in shape, you stand less chance of damaging your knee, especially from something like falling over. The obvious thing to say is dont fall over, but thats not always possible, even for the best skier. Someone I know who was a proficient skier fell over in a lift queue having descended a red and broke her arm! Its easily done.

I can only echo the views above, using a wobble board is good, and ensuring the quads are well in shape by doing leg lifts and squats against a wall will really help. But be aware that once damaged, there will ALWAYS be a weakness there. Dont let it play on your mind, as a lot of these type of injuries put people off in their heads before they have even got on the snow.

If you prepare sensibly, you ought to be fine, but DO listen to the physio, and do plenty of your own work too.

Good luck. No one wants to miss a weeks skiing.

Thanks Tony. I know how it happened - trying to keep up with my two tearaways and husband! I'll definitely stick to my own pace in future. :oops:
I've got a two hour private lesson booked on the first day in Tignes so I think that will really help me. Also, it's with a big group so I can ski with people more at my level.
It's really sore today, my physio has told me there's a fine line between doing enough and too much so I think I'm being too keen.
I replied to your Obergurgl/Hochgurgl post yesterday. Did you decide against it?

Good to read all your advice. Hit from behind by out of control boarder at Sierra at Tahoe 2 weeks ago. Couldn't weight bear through left knee immediately afterwards(the phrase "unstable joint" doesn't quite describe how weird/ghastly that feels) and got stretchered off hill and patched up. Now off crutches and knee brace,doing quads, walking and swimming, seen by doctor and waiting for an MRI.
Should I be seeing a sports physio? Live in countryside outside Dundee Scotland so not sure what to do....
Very keen to ski again..
Anything else I should be doing?
Any comments gratefully accepted,
Karen

I feel your pain.
Apparently 90% of snowboarders are doing it wrong!
Only thing I could tell you for sure is that physio really helps.
Hope it goes ok

carona wrote:you've all been so helpful. I'm feeling the happiest I have since 30th december 2007 and feel I can now start looking forward to Tignes. Thanks guys :-D

I did this last year. Take it easy and start riding a bike but keep the drag low and build up over the weeks. Working your butt off is good but if it starts to loosen take it easy. Your trying to inline skate after doing it? You've got guts :) I'd be concerned that it would give out

No, haven't had my skates on yet, but I've got a long sloping driveway so will be taking Trenchers advice in a couple of weeks. Planning to cycle this weekend, nice and easy - won't try to keep up with my boys! Love the wobble board. Really appreciate all the advice.
Saw physio again today who reckons it's 50-60% healed with 7 and a half weeks to go until Tignes.... :D :D :D

KarenhitatTahoe wrote:Good to read all your advice. Hit from behind by out of control boarder at Sierra at Tahoe 2 weeks ago. Couldn't weight bear through left knee immediately afterwards(the phrase "unstable joint" doesn't quite describe how weird/ghastly that feels) and got stretchered off hill and patched up. Now off crutches and knee brace,doing quads, walking and swimming, seen by doctor and waiting for an MRI.
Should I be seeing a sports physio? Live in countryside outside Dundee Scotland so not sure what to do....
Very keen to ski again..
Anything else I should be doing?
Any comments gratefully accepted,
Karen

Most definitely, go and see a sports physio. Try Dundee or Dundee United, they will probably hold sessions for non footballers.

I ruptured ACL in both knees a few years back and had 2 reconstructions. I ski blacks now but moguls are not fun. I ski in neoprene braces with plastic hinges but this is to remind me I am not 100%. I also take my donjoy brace(it just fits under ski trousers) but I never needed to use it. I reckon I could still ski easy runs to bars with it on if I had a small sprain.
Be brave but be sure it is strong.