Sports Hernia – Skiing & Snowboarding

Baby It’s Cold Outside

Published November 28, 2016 By William Brown, MD

Winter Weather and Sports Hernia Prevention

sports hernia prevention in the winter

Winter: depending on where you’re from, it can be the season of snow and sledding, or just sun and festive holiday spirit. But no matter what weather your winter brings, it also brings with it an increased risk for injury. During the colder months, we tend to stay inside longer and exercise less. Decreased activity puts you at risk for sustaining an injury during even normal activities.

A sports hernia is one type of those hidden injuries. A sports hernia injury happens when there is a tear in the abdominal muscles, usually caused by a sudden change in direction or twisting movement. They can happen in all sorts of situations and all types of activities, including running, swimming even heavy lifting. In the winter, skiers and snowboarders may be at an increased risk.

To ensure that your winter goes smoothly, make sure to be…

Sports Hernias Don’t Affect Skiers…Do They?

Published April 21, 2016 By William Brown, MD

Skiers & Snowboarders are Susceptible to Sports Hernias

skier-snowboarder-can-get-sports-hernia When you play hockey, run, dance, or swim, you’re at risk of suffering a sports hernia injury. Each of these activities includes the fast twisting and turning movements that are responsible for most sports hernias. But just because your sport of choice doesn’t involve the obvious culprits, doesn’t mean you’re safe from sports hernias.

Sudden changes in direction, quick shifting of weight, and rapid movements contribute to sports hernia injuries too. Sound familiar to you snowboarders and skiers?

When swooshing down a slope on skis, added strain is placed on your core to maintain balance. The lower abdominal muscles have to work harder to keep you upright when gravity is pulling you down. The more stress is placed on your lower core and groin area, the higher the risk that you might sustain a sports hernia injury.

Snowboarding requires many of the…