 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi
I have a partially torn PCL after a cycling accident back in June. I am back in the gym doing some strength training as the consultant said you don't need to operate on a partially torn ligament just concentrate on building up quads and other muscle groups around the area. I still get days when I feel a lot of pain in the area particularly around the back of the knee but I am just hoping this is still the area healing.
I am trying to find out whether I should ski or board at my annual lads holiday in Tignes in Feb. We have all boarded for the past ten years but I can ski as well and if this would be easier on the PCL then I may well ski. does anyone have any experience in this area?
One other question - I now where Rehband knees supports when I train - should I wear these when skiing/boarding or if not should I look at purchasing some form of knee brace?
Any advice would be so welcome as I am starting to panic a bit 
Thanks all
George
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@holyjasper, I would ask you Physio this. They will know where you are on your rehab and be able to advice.
Money adviced a hinged brace for skiing but my issues are having just half my reconstructed ACL left and having had two thirds my cartilage removed.
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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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I would think boarding will put less force on your knee - is it your leading foot? as you may want to learn to lead with the stronger leg.
Good practice to riding switch!
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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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I have heard that in the past that boarding puts less force on your knee but wasn't sure so thanks for the tip. My stronger leg is my left leading leg and this is the uninjured one so that goes in my favour. I do try riding switch from time to time but I get lazy and stick with my regular position. 
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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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Boarding can put more lateral stress into the knees, that also depends on how wide is your stance and how stiff are your boots and bindings. Other than mechanical impact it's fairly rare to do much harm to them falling on your àrse or face . . . It's always good to work on your flexibility.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@holyjasper, as @NickyJ, says maybe ask your physio.
I board and ski
In the past have had a knee surgery so have a little bit of experience.
If the knee is weak then personally I'd say boarding is less likely to damage the knee any further as I feel there is less chance twisting the knee.
Good luck whatever you decide.
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I have a complete rupture of PCL ,did it Jan one year was back skiing by December .strengthen all muscles around knee and wear hinged knee brace
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@holyjasper, which do you have more experience in? If you've only been on a snowboard for a couple of lads weeks over years of skiing, then i'd be inclined to say ski. Snowboarding is less likely to put torsional stress on your knee, but as Masque points out, your stance could put you at some risk of bowing your knee outwards. Make sure you try to keep your knees in line over your feet. Is your bum knee on your lead leg or trailing leg when you ride normally?
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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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I have more experience in snowboarding. Bum knee is on my trailing leg so I think that is better for me? I will just try and take it easy but you know what it's like when you get there - and especially with the conditions at the moment!! I am trying to find a physio in the North West who could advise me which would be the best for my injury and do a try before you buy as I have been advised. I am loathed to buy one online and then get it and it doesn't feel right.
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Personally I'd feel more comfortable with a bum knee on the rear, with the strong leg being the strapped in one while skating and getting off lifts - I reckon that'd be the most likely cause of a twisting or otherwise 'buggering off somewhere' type knee injury?
Disclaimer - zero medical knowledge, just a gut feeling.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@holyjasper, Don't know about the NW area, but my wife just bought her brace through firstaid4sport.co.uk who are in Lincoln. They will do fittings and they special ordered stuff for her from Donjay in the USA and there was never any quibble over taking stuff back which didn't fit. She had a fitting booked at the Ski show for a full Donjay Armor brace but didn't buy one as it wasn't right for her. Ended up with the Playmaker2 sleeve brace with the upgraded geared 4-point hinges off the Armor.
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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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Hi
Thanks for the advice. I was looking at firstaid4sport but there are so many different products on the market I am really struggling. As I said this is a partial tear of the PCL so nothing too bad and recovery seems to be going ok but apparently there will always be a weakness there hence my need to get some form of protection.
If you don't mind me asking did your wife go to Lincoln or was it trial and error through the post?
They do seem large and bulky - is she ok when skiing with it on?
Thanks for taking the time - I really appreciate it.
Cheers
George
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@holyjasper,
Posterior cruciate injuries (PCL) are a completely different beast to Anterior cruciate ligament ( ACL) tears. Very few need surgery. The vast majority are relatively minor.
The best approach is a rehab / strengthening/balance program. For virtually all PCL ruptures that’s enough. You should not need a brace. You could try a simple knee sleeve to see if that makes your knee feel a bit more secure ( it does this by aiding feedback rather than providing physical support) . We’ve sold Bioskins for years and been happy with them.
Grade 3 tears might need a brace.
If you have adequately rehabbed it will make little difference whether you choose to snow board or ski. The knee is much much less to suffer episodes of “giving “
Hope that helps
Jonathan Bell
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You know it makes sense.
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Not sure I know what a PCL is ( I thought it was a kids canoeing holiday in the Ardeche ), but FWIW I caned my left knee when a car knocked me off my motorbike near Morzine doing about 100KMH. This was a few years ago, and the knee still has bouts of pain and swelling.
The consultant at the specialist Trauma clinic in Thonon says that its recovered as much as its likely to, so just to get on with it, and do whichever discipline gave me "the best feeling".
Since then I have only skied 3 or 4 days, but done 100+ on my board, as it feels more comfortable / stable.
I ride regular (bad leg in front), without a support, but just stop when my leg tells me its had enough ( normally 5-6 hours ).
Given that we have different bio-mechanics, physiology, and our injuries are different, then this is purely anecdotal.
What is interesting though is that the consultant based his advice on what feels best, rather than which posed the greater risk to further injury, and I am not sure they are neccessarily the same thing.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@WindOfChange makes the useful distinction between what feels best, and what poses the greater risk to further injury. For the latter, I don't think you'll get a better opinion than from your consultant and that of @Jonathan Bell above. For what feels best, I'd give each a try - it might be an idea to try a snow dome just before you go (so you've done as much rehab as possible), if you're within range of one
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