 Poster: A snowHead
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For the more technically minded: Swiss review of ski / binding / boot technologies as they relate to prevalence of serious knee injury.
http://www.bfu.ch/de/suche?k=2.119
Click the green link on that page to download a long pdf.
One conclusion: ski boards (blades) are relatively safe even without release bindings! 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Hmm. Interesting. Am skimming through (anything is better than defrosting my freezer). I wondered whether "optional" in the following extract on p 32 should read "optimal"? What do you think.
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| the balance between the two failure modes appears to be near the optional point in relation to midshaft tibia fractures and the risk of inadvertent releases with subsequent injuries. |
Non release skiboards break legs instead of knees.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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OK, finished skimming now. it seems that the incidence of ski injuries is lower, these days (though I didn't delve far enough to find out how this conclusion was reached). But knee injuries have not been reduced and are amongst the most likely. Other points which interested me:
1. Women are at 2 to 3 times greater risk than men of ACL injury
2. Older people have a slightly lower risk of ski injuries than the remaining population (though fractures of the tibial plateau are a problem)
3. Introduction of carving skis has not significantly affected the total volume of injuries but risk group has shifted from beginners to professionals. Beginners benefit from shorter and livelier carving skis, which simplify the use of edges and ski turns
4. Ski boards rigidly fixed to the boot can lead to overload of the bone but are much safer for knees
5. Reducing binding settings increases the risk of premature release but, especially for women who are not not aggressive skiers in situations where this would be specially dangerous, the increased risk of injury from pre-release is likely to be outweighed by the significant benefits for their knees
6. Knee injuries approximately five times more likely in alpine skiing than in snowboarding
7. The literature on the preventive use of knee braces is inconclusive.
8. A "high level of activity" in the hamstrings is likely to reduce the risk of injury to the knees
9. There is obviously many years of R & D and conferencing to be had in the development of smarter "mechatronic" bindings
I had already reached conclusion 5 for myself, based on unimpeachable empirical evidence.
Now for the freezer.... 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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pam w, good summary!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| pam w wrote: |
OK, finished skimming now. it seems that the incidence of ski injuries is lower, these days (though I didn't delve far enough to find out how this conclusion was reached). But knee injuries have not been reduced and are amongst the most likely. Other points which interested me:
Nice summary
[i]1. Women are at 2 to 3 times greater risk than men of ACL injury
That applies to virtually all sports
2. Older people have a slightly lower risk of ski injuries than the remaining population (though fractures of the tibial plateau are a problem)
Tibial plateau a common injury, more common in older but definitely not exclusive( had two skiers returning to skiing on my Return to Ski Day recently)
3. Introduction of carving skis has not significantly affected the total volume of injuries but risk group has shifted from beginners to professionals. Beginners benefit from shorter and livelier carving skis, which simplify the use of edges and ski turns
34% of Pro skiers have rupture their ACL
4. Ski boards rigidly fixed to the boot can lead to overload of the bone but are much safer for knees
Wrists are the big problem in boarders , wear wrist guards!
5. Reducing binding settings increases the risk of premature release but, especially for women who are not not aggressive skiers in situations where this would be specially dangerous, the increased risk of injury from pre-release is likely to be outweighed by the significant benefits for their knees
Not sure i agree with that. ACL is very serious knee injury. I just dont subscribe to the " i would'nt want to loose a skii at the top of a couloir" Virtually all ACL ruptures occur at slow /modest speed on the piste - just how serious is a ski release in that situation? If easy release will put you at risk of significant injury such as when, off piste skiing then adjust the bindings according to the conditions. DIN setting isnt set in stone, it can very easily be varied according to the level of risk from falling and the level of aggression required to ski on any day. Take charge of your DIN settings!!
6. Knee injuries approximately five times more likely in alpine skiing than in snowboarding
At least if not more
7. The literature on the preventive use of knee braces is inconclusive.
Alot of the "research" is funded by the industry that make them
8. A "high level of activity" in the hamstrings is likely to reduce the risk of injury to the knees
And plyo metrics
9. There is obviously many years of R & D and conferencing to be had in the development of smarter "mechatronic" bindings
I had already reached conclusion 5 for myself, based on unimpeachable empirical evidence.
Now for the freezer.... Sad |
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Jonathan Bell, perhaps my summary of the bindings point wasn't very clear - the paper made the same argument as you are making - crank those bindings down! I have already come to this conclusion for myself and have several times been asked to sign disclaimers when insisting that ski techs set my bindings below the level their charts come up with. I can't remember the last time I lost a ski and wished I hadn't. It is my personal bugbear that lots of people who are just holiday kind of skiers in situations where losing a ski would not be disastrous (ie most of us) have their bindings FAR too tight.
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pam w, I agree. My bindings are now down to 3. I was sking more aggressively and faster than usual the other week...no pre release. I never fell over....fingers crossed they will release if I do....they dont go any lower!
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pam w, another for winding back the DIN. On alpine I keep things at 5 and I'm no lightweight  People have seen me ski and I think 'loony' covers most of it. Technique and fitness is what keeps you in your bindings. Yes there are places where you really don't want to lose a ski and you should adjust appropriately but fr general use I believe most people have their bindings set at leaste 1/3 higher than safe for them in the inbounds conditions they ski in. Those of you who 'play hard' must make your own determination.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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The very little skiing I do off piste (and I'm doing Charlotte's course next month) is on terrain where the main danger is a twisting fall with the ski firmly held by the snow. Yes, OK, it's a pain if your ski shoots off and gets lost and it's exhausting getting them back on sometimes, but doesn't compare to the pain of smashing a ligament. And I do have a pair of the much-maligned powder traces.
Jonathan Bell's figure of the number of pro skiers who have had serious ligament injuries is sobering; is there any other sport where such a high rate of serious injury is accepted as perfectly normal?
My DINS are at 4 - maybe I should have them at 3 and see what happens? They flew off very easily in the crash that broke my pelvis - which healed a great deal quicker than a bust ACL, and much more cheaply, and with a lot less pain and effort of rehabilitation.
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I have a system for DIN setting bindings that im happy to share send to anyone who wants it.
It sets bindings based on ability as well as boot size.
I would just post it but im not sure about breach of IP. If anyone wants it please email me/pm me with your email.
Jonathan Bell
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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As far as I understand it bindings were never designed to prevent ACL injuries, they were designed to prevent bones breaking.
Jonathan Bell, do you consider running as pylometrics? How much running would you consider safe/healthy for a very fit 50 year old (70kg)?
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Jonathan Bell's figure of the number of pro skiers who have had serious ligament injuries is sobering; is there any other sport where such a high rate of serious injury is accepted as perfectly normal?
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I too find it amazing that there isn't more focus on a release device which helps protect the ACL; so many racers have torn these, that you would think by now its would be of financial benefit to develop. MY Oh said in a training run in val gardena two were wearing test inflatable air bags. This seems tricky t me as you could get injured anywhere in a crash and the bags could therefore aggrevate some injury. But if they think a quick release bag could help then why isn't there some quick release binding for twists, ie with a feedback mechanism so it only releases as required?
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While i do respect your position Jonathan,as someone who sells Donjoy 4titude braces,has had snapped ligaments and now had to have a total knee replacement,i feel if i had been wearing a brace when the first injury happened i could of saved myself a lot of pain.Isay this because when i snapped my ACL the movenment that caused it i am sure would have been protected.I know people will say i would say that,but its true.Dont dismiss bracing.
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