I was thinking it might be interesting to share anecdotally what sort of injuries we've acquired through the course of skating, how the healing process was like (mental/physical), any precautions taken to minimise risk of recurrence etc.
There are studies on the prevalence of different figure skating injuries, such as this review (2018), but it would be good to know what this community has experienced - to help point people toward the right medical professionals, manage expectations during recovery, and cheer up fellow sufferers
I'm recovering from a high ankle (syndesmotic) sprain. It's rarer than the lateral ankle sprain, but perhaps more widespread in skating; it's my second such sprain and I know people in my rink who had it before. Syndesmotic sprains are insidious as they don't swell much, but take ages to heal, so require medical attention ASAP!
Both my sprains (on different feet) were about Grade I/II, since I could stand initially. The first one in 2018 was psychologically harder, since I didn't expect such a long recovery: 2 months off ice, 2 more to regain normal skating level, yet another 2 to do basic pointework (I also dance). This latest sprain is looking a tad better - back stroking after 5 weeks, but jumps, spins and even brackets are off the table for now.
Both injuries were caused by awkward falls, which are impossible to completely prevent, but there were certain common-sense measures that I had neglected for a while going into both - adequate sleep, regular conditioning, proper warm-up, off-ice jumps with attention to form (sometimes it's hard as an adult skater to find time for this...). I'll try to form better habits going forward.
Besides those acute injuries, I have a few chronic issues (Haglund's heel and accessory navicular bursitis, bunions, scoliosis) but these are now managed fairly well with physiotherapy, podiatry and proper boot fitting.
How about you?
There are studies on the prevalence of different figure skating injuries, such as this review (2018), but it would be good to know what this community has experienced - to help point people toward the right medical professionals, manage expectations during recovery, and cheer up fellow sufferers
I'm recovering from a high ankle (syndesmotic) sprain. It's rarer than the lateral ankle sprain, but perhaps more widespread in skating; it's my second such sprain and I know people in my rink who had it before. Syndesmotic sprains are insidious as they don't swell much, but take ages to heal, so require medical attention ASAP!
Both my sprains (on different feet) were about Grade I/II, since I could stand initially. The first one in 2018 was psychologically harder, since I didn't expect such a long recovery: 2 months off ice, 2 more to regain normal skating level, yet another 2 to do basic pointework (I also dance). This latest sprain is looking a tad better - back stroking after 5 weeks, but jumps, spins and even brackets are off the table for now.
Both injuries were caused by awkward falls, which are impossible to completely prevent, but there were certain common-sense measures that I had neglected for a while going into both - adequate sleep, regular conditioning, proper warm-up, off-ice jumps with attention to form (sometimes it's hard as an adult skater to find time for this...). I'll try to form better habits going forward.
Besides those acute injuries, I have a few chronic issues (Haglund's heel and accessory navicular bursitis, bunions, scoliosis) but these are now managed fairly well with physiotherapy, podiatry and proper boot fitting.
How about you?