It comes as no surprise that the majority of ice skating injuries occur from falling down. Knee, foot, and arm injuries such as hand fractures and ACL tears are typically avoidable if new skaters learn how to skate before stepping foot onto the ice.

“Wrist fractures and muscle sprains are very common injuries we see from patients that are beginner or intermediate-level ice skaters. Trauma sustained from a fall while ice skating can be avoided or drastically reduced by learning proper fall techniques,” says Dr. David Hassinger, founder of Direct Orthopedic Care in Boise.

Falling correctly takes practice, which should be done before you go ice skating and again on the ice before you skate. In order to avoid arm injuries, you should keep your arms by your side and fall on your backside. “Your gluteus maximus and other glute muscles help cushion your fall, absorbing shock and protecting your spine. If you fall forward, you greatly increase your risk of breaking bones in your hand, because your wrists are not meant to withstand the weight of the body during a fall,” said Dr. Hassinger.

Because many falls occur from improper stops, you should practice coming to a stop while on skates. Dr. Hassinger also recommends wearing proper equipment while ice skating including knee and elbow pads, wrist guards, and properly fitting skates with ankle support.

“If you plan to skate on a frozen pond or stream instead of inside a rink, make sure it is a designated ice skating zone. This ensures the ice is thick enough for safe skating,” Dr. Hassinger added.

To learn more, call 208-321-4000 or visit www.BoiseDoc.com.