Skiing down the snowy slopes near Surrey is thrilling until an injury stops you in your tracks. Knee sprains, shoulder strains, and back pain are just a few of the common injuries that can sideline skiers for weeks or even months. The good news? You don’t have to suffer through a long recovery alone.
Panorama Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic in Surrey offers specialized treatment for skiing injuries using physiotherapy, massage therapy, and sports injury rehab to get you back on the mountain faster. Whether you’re a weekend warrior hitting Panorama Ridge or a regular at local ski resorts, understanding these injuries and how to treat them can make all the difference in your recovery.
This guide walks you through the most common skiing injuries Surrey residents face and explains exactly how our sports injury clinic treats them. You’ll learn what to watch for, when to seek help, and what treatment options work best for each type of injury.
Most Common Skiing Injuries in Surrey
Skiing on BC’s slopes brings excitement, but it also comes with real risks to your knees, shoulders, head, and back. These four injury types make up the majority of cases we see at sports injury clinics in Surrey after ski trips.
Knee Sprains and Ligament Tears
Your knees take the biggest hit when you ski. The twisting motions and sudden stops put massive stress on your knee ligaments.
ACL tears are the most serious knee injury you can get on the slopes. They happen when you twist your knee while your ski stays planted in the snow. MCL sprains are also common and usually occur when your knee bends inward during a fall.
You’ll know something’s wrong if you hear a pop, feel immediate pain, or notice your knee swelling up fast. Your knee might also feel unstable or give out when you try to put weight on it.
Warning signs include:
- Sharp pain when moving your knee
- Swelling within hours of injury
- Difficulty walking or bearing weight
- A feeling that your knee might buckle
Shoulder Strains and Dislocations
Your shoulders are vulnerable when you fall or catch an edge. Many skiers instinctively put their arms out to break a fall, which can lead to serious shoulder damage.
Dislocations happen when the ball of your shoulder joint pops out of its socket. This injury is painful and needs immediate medical attention. Rotator cuff strains are less severe but still affect your ability to move your arm normally.
Skier’s thumb is another common issue. It occurs when you fall while gripping your ski pole, forcing your thumb backward and tearing the ligament at the base.
The pain can range from dull and achy to sharp and stabbing. You might struggle to lift your arm or rotate it in certain directions.
Concussions and Head Injuries
Head injuries are serious business on the mountain. Even if you wear a helmet, high-speed crashes or collisions can cause concussions.
A concussion happens when your brain moves inside your skull from impact. You don’t have to lose consciousness to have one! Symptoms can show up right away or develop over hours.
Common concussion symptoms:
- Headache or pressure in your head
- Confusion or feeling foggy
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sensitivity to light or noise
Never ignore these signs. Concussions need proper rest and monitoring to heal correctly.
Lower Back Pain from Skiing
Your lower back works overtime when you ski. The constant forward-leaning position and the impact from bumps and jumps put strain on your spine and muscles.
Muscle strains are the most common cause of back pain after skiing. They happen when you twist suddenly or try to catch yourself during a fall. The muscles around your spine can tighten up and create painful spasms.
Disc problems can also develop from repeated impacts or awkward landings. The cushioning discs between your vertebrae can bulge or herniate, pressing on nearby nerves.
Your back pain might feel like a dull ache, sharp stabbing sensation, or stiffness that makes it hard to bend. Some people also experience tingling or numbness down their legs if nerves are involved.
How Panorama Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic Treats Ski Injuries
At Panorama Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic, treatment plans combine multiple therapy approaches to get you back on the slopes safely. Your recovery might include hands-on physiotherapy, massage therapy, or a full sports injury rehab program.
Physiotherapy for Ski Injury Recovery
Physiotherapy forms the foundation of most ski injury treatment plans at our Panorama clinic. Your physiotherapist starts with a detailed assessment of your injury to understand exactly what’s damaged and how it affects your movement.
Treatment usually begins with pain management techniques. You might receive ice therapy, ultrasound, or electrical stimulation to reduce swelling and discomfort in those first few days.
Once the initial pain settles, your physiotherapist introduces specific exercises to restore your range of motion. These movements are gentle at first and gradually become more challenging as you heal.
Strength building comes next. Your therapist designs exercises that target the muscles around your injury, which helps protect the damaged area and prevents future problems.
Balance and coordination training are especially important for skiers! Your physiotherapist will have you work on stability exercises that prepare you for the demands of skiing again.
Massage Therapy to Promote Healing
Massage therapy speeds up your recovery by increasing blood flow to injured tissues. More blood means more oxygen and nutrients reach the damaged area, which helps it heal faster.
Your massage therapist focuses on the muscles, tendons, and ligaments around your injury. They use different techniques depending on what you need and where you are in your recovery.
Deep tissue massage breaks up scar tissue that can form after an injury. This type of massage might feel intense, but it helps restore normal movement patterns in your muscles.
Sports massage keeps your healthy muscles loose while the injured area heals. Tight muscles in one area often compensate for an injury somewhere else, which can create new problems if left untreated.
Sports Injury Rehab Programs in Surrey
Sports injury rehab programs at Panorama combine all these treatments into one complete plan. Your program is designed specifically for your injury and your goal of returning to skiing.
The program starts with your current fitness level and injury status. Your therapist then creates a timeline with specific milestones you need to hit before advancing to the next phase.
Early phases focus on healing and basic movement. You’ll work on reducing pain, restoring normal range of motion, and building foundational strength.
Middle phases introduce sport-specific exercises. You’ll practice movements that mimic skiing, like lateral jumps, single-leg squats, and rotational exercises.
Final phases prepare you for the mountain. Your therapist might have you work on reaction time, agility drills, and endurance training that matches the demands of a full day of skiing.
Throughout your program, your team tracks your progress and adjusts your plan as needed. They’ll make sure you’re truly ready before clearing you to ski again!