Snowboarders Incur More Foot and Ankle Injuries Than Skiers

CHICAGO – The snowy slopes of the world’s ski hills aren’t the only places where snowboarding is hot. Foot and ankle surgeons’ offices have also become a popular spot for snowboarders.

Unlike skiing, in which there is a higher rate of lower-leg and knee injuries, snowboarders experience a higher percentage of foot and ankle injuries. "The probable reasons we’re seeing more snowboarders with foot and ankle injuries are that their boots are much softer and flexible than skiers’ and their snowboard bindings are not releasable," says ACFAS spokesperson Richard T. Bouché, DPM, FACFAS, a Seattle-based foot and ankle surgeon. Bouché specializes in sports-related foot and ankle injuries and is an alpine skier.

Bouché has seen more snowboarders with midfoot sprains, which is a ligamentous injury to the mid-portion of the foot.

"A midfoot sprain occurs when the foot is impacted in the tip-toe or axially loaded position," he says . "Because of the flexibility in a snowboarder’s boot, their foot can easily assume this toe position upon impact. A stiffer boot would protect the ankle and hold the foot in position."

The key to a midfoot sprain is early diagnosis, which according to Bouché, does not happen often.

" A midfoot sprain is difficult for patients to recognize because after the injury everything is swollen and hurts," he says. "If their injury is combined with an ankle sprain, the ankle sprain is treated but the midfoot sprain is usually not. A patient doesn’t realize it until months after when their midfoot pain persists"

One simple way patients can test for a midfoot sprain is by standing on their tiptoes. If they have a midfoot sprain they won’t be able to tolerate the pain and their foot will not be able to maintain this position.

Bouché feels that snowboarders can prevent midfoot sprains by wearing stiffer boots, but acknowledges that snowboarders like the flexibility of movement a softer boot gives them.

"Let’s face it, snowboarders know that there are inherent risks in what they do," he says. "But I guess risks are part of the sport’s allure."

For more information on foot and ankle health, or to find a foot and ankle surgeon in your area, visit FootPhysicians.com, the ACFAS patient education Web site.