Colorado Orthopedic Surgeon Warns of Wrist Injuries From Snowboarding

60 percent of snowboarding injuries are to the wrist or forearm

GOLDEN, Colo., Jan. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- If all snowboarders wore wrist
guards, Dr. Christopher Brian would be a lot less busy this time of year. He
might even have time for his wife and kids.
"Each year I'm surprised by the number of wrist and forearm injuries I see
from snowboarding," the Panorama Orthopedics and Spine Center hand/wrist
surgeon said. "I think I'm seeing more of these injuries because more people
are taking up this sport."
While statistics vary, generally 60 percent of all snowboarding injuries
are to the hand or forearm, according to Dr. Brian. He said because of the way
snowboarders typically fall, it's very important they wear wrist protection
when enjoying this winter sport.
"Fortunately, more and more snowboarding gloves include wrist guards," Dr.
Brian said. "There really is no excuse for not having wrist guards or helmets
when snowboarding."
Wrist guards can reduce wrist injury by as much as 85 percent, according
to European studies. Despite this, the number of boarders wearing this
protection is very low -- almost certainly less that 10 percent, according to
Dr. Brian.
Dr. Brian said his snowboarding injury patients are typically teenage boys
and new snowboarders of all ages. "The learning curve for snowboarding is
steep, and people often get hurt when they are just starting out," he said.
Snowboarders injure their wrists and forearms when they attempt to break a
fall with their arms. Dr. Brian recommends resisting the urge to fall on an
outstretched arm, since this can not only result in wrist injuries, it can
also cause shoulder injuries. If you can't resist the temptation to break your
fall with your arm, try to ball your hand into a fist as you are falling. Dr.
Brian says this will make it less likely that you will injure your wrist.
In addition, Dr. Brian urges extreme caution before venturing into popular
ski area terrain parks. "The increasing usage of these parks and their rails
and half pipes has been paralleled by an increase in injuries. I think it's
not just the structure of the parks, but the fact that there is often a lot of
peer pressure to 'go bigger' than the guy before you," the surgeon said.
For more information on snowboarding safely go to The National Safety
Council's site at www.nsc.org. For more information about Panorama
Orthopedics and Spine Center in Golden go to www.panoramaortho.com.
ABOUT PANORMA ORTHOPEDICS AND SPINE CENTER
Panorama Orthopedics & Spine Center surgeons are dedicated to getting
their patients the best orthopedic care possible. With over 260 years of
combined experience, the practice's knowledge and expertise is unparalleled in
the Denver metro area.
Panorama is comprised of 22 highly renowned orthopedic surgeons with 3
locations within the greater Denver area. Panorama surgeons have received
specialized training in the orthopedic sub-specialties of sports medicine,
spine, trauma, total joint replacements, foot and ankle, and hand surgery.
SOURCE Panorama Orthopedics & Spine Center

Erich Kirshner of Kirshner Communications, +1-303-921-6733,
erich@kirshnercommunications.com, for Panorama Orthopedics & Spine Center