54th season of skiing and my first ever season-ending injury.
I refuse to surrender.
This was a freak accident. Bluebird day. Soft snow. I was heading down a narrow (12’ wide) bump run. A tree branch had fallen across the trail and everyone had gone around it, causing a deep rut. I misjudged the bump and somehow got into the ruts everyone else made. I got kicked backwards, or I maybe I leaned back. I tried to jackknife myself forward, but I didn't have enough time. I hit the uphill side of the bump and the snow pushed my skis to the right. That move, with a full knee bend, and something had to give. I really thought ACL when I heard the pop. (my skis were parallel and the bindings did not release)
My friend helped me take off my skis. She called the emergency number for a ski patroller sled, set her skis up as a warning to other skiers and we waited.
I took the Ride of Shame. Props to Killington Ski Patrol, the guy was so skilled taking me down the steep, bumped run.
I went to the on-hill emergency clinic. It was a good choice, IMO. It wasn’t busy and these folks treat knees and shoulders every day. I liked the doctor and the staff was kind. The initial diagnosis was a tibial plateau fracture.
CT at my orthopedist later showed that the tibial plateau was depressed but not broken. I was told that the Tibial Plateau is like styrofoam and the depression is like pushing your thumb into the styrofoam.
The avulsion is a piece of bone that attaches the ACL to the tibia. It is displaced 6mm.
The initial treatment plan is immobilization in a knee brace. Surgery is not indicated.
Anyone else? I would love to hear your experiences.
I refuse to surrender.
This was a freak accident. Bluebird day. Soft snow. I was heading down a narrow (12’ wide) bump run. A tree branch had fallen across the trail and everyone had gone around it, causing a deep rut. I misjudged the bump and somehow got into the ruts everyone else made. I got kicked backwards, or I maybe I leaned back. I tried to jackknife myself forward, but I didn't have enough time. I hit the uphill side of the bump and the snow pushed my skis to the right. That move, with a full knee bend, and something had to give. I really thought ACL when I heard the pop. (my skis were parallel and the bindings did not release)
My friend helped me take off my skis. She called the emergency number for a ski patroller sled, set her skis up as a warning to other skiers and we waited.
I took the Ride of Shame. Props to Killington Ski Patrol, the guy was so skilled taking me down the steep, bumped run.
I went to the on-hill emergency clinic. It was a good choice, IMO. It wasn’t busy and these folks treat knees and shoulders every day. I liked the doctor and the staff was kind. The initial diagnosis was a tibial plateau fracture.
CT at my orthopedist later showed that the tibial plateau was depressed but not broken. I was told that the Tibial Plateau is like styrofoam and the depression is like pushing your thumb into the styrofoam.
The avulsion is a piece of bone that attaches the ACL to the tibia. It is displaced 6mm.
The initial treatment plan is immobilization in a knee brace. Surgery is not indicated.
Anyone else? I would love to hear your experiences.