Ankle Ligament Injuries in Snowboarding and Skiing.

Over the last 7 years, snowboarding has become established as a popular sport in Japan. The present-day skier uses a high, rigid boot and multiple angle release bindings, but most snowboarders use a low, soft boot and rigid bindings. This study evaluates ankle ligament injuries in snowboarding and skiing. We report on 37 snowboarders and 48 skiers who sustained ankle ligament injury during 3 ski seasons. With the aid of stress roentgenograms, the extent of injury was established and conservative treatment was performed on all patients. Comparing skiers' versus snowboarder' injuries, 24(65%) versus 25(52%) were male, the mean age was 24.8 versus 22.1 years, constituting 6.8% versus 4.3% of all injuries, 35(94%) versus 46(96%) were involved the lateral ligamentous structures, and sprains of the ankle were classified as grade I:10(27%), grade II: 21(57%), and grade III: 6(16%) versos 12(25%), 33(69%), and 3(6%), respectively. A high percentage of injury in their first to third year of snowboarding and skiing was demonstrated in this study. It is important to understand the ankle ligament injuries that can occur during snowboarding and skiing. With proper diagnosis, appropriate treatment for these injuries can he provided. Additional research is needed to better understand the characteristics of these injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]