An orthopedic surgeon from Illinois says that sledding causes the most winter injuries. Dr. Daryl O'Connor, a sports medicine specialist at Gottlieb Memorial Hospital in Melrose Park, Ill., part of the Loyola University Health System, reports that sledding causes 700,000 injuries a year, with almost one-third head injuries from collisions.
The other top five injury-inducing winter sports are, according to the author:
- Hockey: "Lacerations, as well as neck, shoulder and knee injuries are common in hockey. Many injuries are caused through contact with another player, the ice, a pack or actual skate blade," O'Conner reports.
- Ice skating: "Injuries to the wrist as well as head and neck are common and most injuries are caused by falls."
- Snowboarding: "Wrist and elbow injuries are caused by falls on outstretched hands."
- Skiing: "Knees really take a pounding and injury is often caused by extreme twisting force propelled by the skis."
SOURCE: Loyola University Health System, news release, Feb. 24, 2011
