Facts and figures about skiing:
- 53,000 people are injured annually while skiing in Switzerland
- 9,000 accidents occur while snowboarding
- Over 90% of these are self-inflicted accidents
- One-third of skiing accidents involve the knee
- In 38% of all knee injuries, the diagnosis is: anterior cruciate ligament rupture
- Women are three times more likely to be affected than men
(Source: BFU)
Skiing accidents
Hit the slopes: Imagine a nice carving turn and focus mentally on the outer knee: the thigh presses inward, ski and boot fix the lower leg in the direction of travel. If a shock occurs now and/or the leg axis position can no longer be maintained, the movement mechanism follows, which often leads to a cruciate ligament tear. Women tend to have a valgus leg axis due to a wider pelvis, which in turn promotes the mechanism of cruciate ligament tears. It is assumed that this is one reason for the higher accident rates among female skiers. Additionally, hormonal influences are also discussed for the gender-specific difference.
Another accident mechanism resulting in an anterior cruciate ligament rupture is excessive, explosive knee flexion with backward lean (e.g., during an uncontrolled landing from a jump). The excessive forward thrust of the shin can tear the cruciate ligament. Studies have shown that at a knee angle of 30 to 60 degrees, the load on the anterior cruciate ligament is lowest.
How can NUMO help?
If you have a tendency towards a valgus leg axis or leg axis instability, insoles from NUMO can be of great service to you. We can make insoles specifically for ski boots for you. This gives you more stability. Together with regular strength and coordination training, our insoles can significantly reduce the risk of injury. If you have problems in the forefoot area in the ski boot, we can also address these directly.
At NUMO, you can also have insoles made for cross-country ski boots. Here, the risk of a cruciate ligament tear is lower because the speed is lower and less force is exerted on the knee. In the event of a fall, the lower leg also has more freedom since the heel is not fixed to the ski. However, an insole from NUMO helps you improve stability on the thin skis.
Orthoses and Bandages
In addition to insoles for ski boots, NUMO also offers orthoses and bandages. These can be worn preventively as well as in the rehabilitation phase after an accident. Shoulder and upper arm injuries are also common in skiing. The former make up the largest share (about 10%). The so-called "skier's thumb," a ligament injury of the thumb, is a typical injury involving the ski pole. It accounts for about 7% of all skiing injuries. For these and many other cases, an orthosis or bandage can provide relief.
Our recommendation: The perfectly fitting ski boot
By adjusting ski boots to individual size and weight as well as to the respective skiing ability, ski accidents are significantly reduced. Christof Lienhard guarantees with ZumGlück Schuhkomfort a pressure-free shell and a foot-adapted, foam-lined inner shoe. This relieves the footbed and promotes circulation.
"Both NUMO and I have 20 years of experience: NUMO in gait analysis and orthopedic insoles, I in ski boots and the pain they can cause. Together, we prioritize the well-being of our customers, patients, and athletes."
Christof Lienhard, Owner ZumGlück Schuhkomfort
