Skiing holidays and knee injuries

Why skiers injure their knees

Ski boots hold the ankle rigidly, and the long ski acts as a lever. When a ski catches an edge or the skier falls backwards, that lever twists the knee with great force. The binding is meant to release, but it does not always do so in time.

The typical injuries are a sprain of the medial collateral ligament on the inner side of the knee, often from a snowplough position, and an ACL tear, often from falling backwards with the knees bent or landing a jump badly. Meniscus tears and bone bruises frequently come with these. Snowboarders more often injure wrists and shoulders, though knees are still at risk.

Preparing before you leave Doha

Many Qatar residents ski only once a year, travelling straight from a warm climate and an office routine to long days on the slopes. The first and last days of a trip are when fatigue and unfamiliar conditions cause many falls.

• Start strength work six to eight weeks before the trip: squats, lunges, step-ups and hip exercises.
• Add balance work, such as single-leg standing, to train control.
• Build stamina with cycling or the cross-trainer in the gym.
• Have your bindings set for your weight, height and ability by a ski technician, and be honest about your level.
• Book lessons if you are new or out of practice, and stop when your legs are tired.

If you twist your knee on the slopes

Stop skiing. Many people try to ski down on an injured knee and fall again, adding damage. Use the ski patrol to get down if you cannot stand comfortably.

Signs that suggest a significant injury include a pop at the moment of injury, swelling within a few hours, the knee feeling loose or giving way, or being unable to straighten it fully. Resort clinics can examine you and X-ray the knee to exclude a fracture. Ask for a copy of the report and any images to bring home.

In the first days, rest, ice, a compression bandage, elevation and crutches if walking is painful all help. A hinged brace is often used for MCL injuries.

Surgery abroad or at home?

For most ski knee injuries, surgery is not urgent, and there is time to come back to Qatar and be assessed. ACL reconstruction is usually planned once the swelling has settled and movement has returned, and many MCL injuries heal without surgery.

Some injuries do need early treatment: fractures that are displaced, a dislocated knee, a locked knee from a displaced meniscus tear, or combined ligament injuries. The resort doctor should tell you if this applies. If you are unsure, it is reasonable to ask for a second opinion before agreeing to surgery far from home and your rehabilitation team.

Flying back to Qatar with an injured knee

A fresh knee injury, reduced walking and a long flight together raise the risk of a blood clot in the leg. Ask the resort doctor whether you need clot prevention for the journey, especially if you have had a clot before, take hormone medication, or are flying long-haul.

Book an aisle seat, ask the airline for assistance at the airports, keep the brace on if advised, and move your ankles regularly during the flight. Seek urgent help after landing if you develop calf pain or swelling, chest pain or breathlessness.

Follow-up in Doha and returning to the slopes

Book a knee assessment within one to two weeks of returning, sooner if the knee is locked or very unstable. At Aman Hospital, Dr. Gelber will examine the knee, review images from the resort and arrange an MRI if needed, then agree whether physiotherapy alone or surgery suits your knee and your goals.

After ACL reconstruction, returning to skiing is commonly planned at around nine to twelve months, once strength and control tests are satisfactory. Many skiers use a brace for the first season back, and choose easier runs at first.