Snowboarding Puts Wrists at Risk

Snowboarders Can Avoid Injuries by Using Their Head Before Their Wrists

Feb. 1, 2008, CHICAGO, IL – Snowboarders beware.  Ninety five thousand of you will fracture your wrist this winter.  The wrist is the single most common injury site for boarders.  It is estimated that at least 22 percent of all snowboard falls impact the wrist.

“The reason for the growing number of wrist injuries is that most boarders learn on their own or from friends.  They don’t seek professional instruction and learn the proper way to fall and preventative steps they can take to avoid injury,” says Michael Vender, M.D., a board certified orthopedic and hand surgeon who is highly skilled in performing the most advanced hand, wrist and elbow surgery.

Vender sees many sprained or broken wrists during winter months.   Studies show that 17 percent of emergency room visits are for fractured or sprained wrists.

During snowboarding, the upper body is used to turn the board.  Therefore, when a boarder loses balance and falls, the instinctive reaction is to outstretch a hand to break the fall.  That’s why there are so many snowboarders who injure their wrists. Vender says wrist injuries should not be taken lightly.  Boarders with wrist injuries may be hanging up their boots for long periods of time.

Vender says the severity of the break has to do with whether the bones have been displaced, and pushed through the skin, the break goes into the wrist joints or the wrist is fragmented.

“In the past, many athletes didn’t take wrist fractures seriously,” says Dr. Vender. They often ignored the extent of the injury, and returned immediately to their sport, especially if it was competitive.  As a result, treatment and recovery was compromised. For some, the long-term consequences proved even more devastating and resulted in chronic wrist problems followed by disabling arthritis.”

Dr. Vender offers the following guidelines for existing and interested snowboarders:

• Wear appropriate equipment, including helmets and wrist guards.
• Learn fall techniques from an instructor.  For example, when you fall forward, use your arms tucked in your chest to cushion your fall.  When falling background, fall on your buttocks first.
• If you injure a wrist, see an orthopedic doctor who specializes in hand and wrist care.  Otherwise, you may pay the price for years to come.

Dr. Vender has been treating hand and wrist injuries for over 20 years.  In addition to Board Certification in Orthopadic Surgery, he possesses a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Surgery of the Hand from the American Board of Orthopadic Surgery.  Dr. Vender has a keen interest and expertise in treating work-related and sports injuries of the hand and wrist. Specifically, he treats all types of hand, wrist and elbow conditions including arthritis, complex trauma, fractures, nerve compression, hand and wrist deformities, occupational injuries, sports injuries, fingertip injuries as well as revision of previous hand surgery. In addition to seeing patients at the Neurologic & Orthopedic Hospital of Chicago, Dr. Vender also has offices in other locations including Chicago, Vernon Hills, Arlington Heights, Elmhurst and Oak Lawn.  He graduated with distinction from Stanford University, and received his medical degree from the University of Illinois, College of Medicine, participating in the James Scholar Program. He did his residency at Northwestern University Medical School, in the department of orthopedic surgery. He completed advanced training in hand surgery at The Connecticut Combined Hand Services in Harford, Connecticut.

The Neurologic & Orthopedic Hospital of Chicago is the country's first freestanding acute care hospital dedicated exclusively to neuroscience and orthopedic services. It utilizes breakthrough technology and minimally invasive techniques as well as advanced procedures for neurosurgery, orthopedics, pain management, neuro-oncology, sports medicine, and rehabilitation.

For more information on mobile bearing knee replacement at the NOHC, call: 773-250-1000 or visit www.neuro-ortho.org. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Vender please call 773 250-1000.