Ski-geometric parameters do not differ between ACL injury mechanisms in recreational alpine skiing

Markus Posch; Gerhard Ruedl; Klaus Greier; Martin Faulhaber; Katja Tecklenburg; Alois Schranz; Martin Burtscher

doi:10.1007/s00167-021-06852-w

Ski-geometric parameters do not differ between ACL injury mechanisms in recreational alpine skiing

Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2022 Jun;30(6):2141-2148. doi: 10.1007/s00167-021-06852-w. Epub 2021 Dec 31.

Authors

Markus Posch¹, Gerhard Ruedl², Klaus Greier^{2

3}, Martin Faulhaber², Katja Tecklenburg⁴, Alois Schranz⁴, Martin Burtscher²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Sport Science of the University of Innsbruck, Fürstenweg 185, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria. Markus.Posch@uibk.ac.at.
² Department of Sport Science of the University of Innsbruck, Fürstenweg 185, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
³ University College of Education (KPH) Stams, 6422, Stams, Austria.
⁴ medalp sportclinic, 6460, Imst, Austria.

Abstract

Purpose: It is not known so far if ski-equipment-related factors differ between the ACL injury mechanisms, potentially influencing the circumstances and causes of falling, finally resulting in ACL injury. More specifically focusing on the injury mechanisms will provide a deeper understanding of injury causation. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether ACL injury mechanisms in recreational alpine skiing differ with regard to ski-geometric parameters, self-reported circumstances and causes of accident and injury severity.

Methods: Among a cohort of 392 ACL-injured (57.9% females) skiers, age, sex, height, weight, skill level, risk-taking behavior, circumstances and causes of accident, and ACL injury severity were collected by questionnaire. Additionally, patients had to recall their type of fall (ACL injury mechanism) by classifying forward and backward falls with and without body rotation. Ski length, side cut radius and widths of the tip, waist and tail were directly notated from the ski.

Results: The forward fall with body rotation was the most common reported ACL injury mechanism (63%). A riskier behavior was associated with forward falls without body rotation. Ski-geometric parameters did not significantly influence the type of ACL injury mechanism. Regarding accident characteristics, catching an edge of the ski was more frequent (p < 0.001) the cause for forward falls (75% and 67%) when compared to the backward falls (46 and 15%) and executing a turn was the most frequent action in all falls (39-68%). A complete rupture of the ACL (66-70%) was more commonly reported than a partial tear (30-34%) among all four non-contact ACL injury mechanisms (n.s.).

Conclusion: In contrast to risk-taking behavior and accident characteristics, ski-geometric parameters and injury severity do not significantly differ between ACL injury mechanisms in recreational skiing. Thus, an individual skiing style seems to have more impact on ACL injury mechanisms than ski equipment. Future studies should evaluate potential effects of ski geometry on the incidence of ACL injury.

Level of evidence: III.

Keywords: ACL injury mechanisms; Circumstances of fall; Recreational alpine skiing; Ski geometry.

MeSH terms

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries* / complications
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries* / etiology
Athletic Injuries* / epidemiology
Athletic Injuries* / etiology
Female
Humans
Knee Injuries* / complications
Knee Injuries* / etiology
Male
Rupture / complications
Skiing* / injuries