Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T L Y M O N T A N A M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 2 0 90 But as we know, all of that inertia, warmth and ease is not sustainable from October to April (or… June?). Too much hibernation is not the key to en- joying the winter months, and worse, it's not healthy. It can lead to boredom, isolation, loss of fitness, and depression. Yes, we know we must get out! While recreating outdoors is good for physical and mental health, it comes with its own risks, many of which we can mitigate with a little foresight, fitness and preparation. With a smorgasbord of activities just beckoning us—skiing, ice climbing, sledding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, fat biking, skating, snow man building, ice sculpture carving, and more—it's best to employ a few basic practices to ensure your season won't be cut short by injury. Below are a few of the most common injuries sus- tained during the winter months and a few guidelines on how to prevent them. After all, prevention is key. SPRAINS, STRAINS AND FRACTURES ACL TEARS: If you ski, you've probably heard of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). It's a commonly injured ligament within the knee, and the reason many a ski bum opts to get health insurance. Exces- sive lateral rotation is the cause. For example, the tip of a ski gets snagged and pulled outward, twisting the knee. Many people hear a pop as the ligament snaps, and there may be pain and an unstable feeling when you try to bear weight. e tear can be partial or complete, and often requires surgery for those who value full knee function. TIBIA-FIBULA FRACTURES: Aka "tib-fib" or "boot-top fractures", these broken bones are also particularly common among skiers. ey occur when the ski suddenly grinds to a halt but the body's momentum (and consequently the lower leg), keep going. e outcome is that the bones break right at the top of the rigid ski boot, which acts as a splint for every- thing below. TO AVOID: Don't fall. Ha! If only it were that easy. But you can minimize your risk. First, stay fit year round to avoid injury. A little soreness can be inevitable, but if you want to avoid a season on the sidelines, con- A S DAYLIGHT IN MONTANA SHRINKS AND TEMPERATURES FALL, we are reminded of our fragility as furless, warmth- loving creatures. Maybe as the first snowflakes fell you felt the irresistible lure of creature comforts: a fireplace and a wool blanket, paired with some hot cocoa and that novel you squirrelled away all summer. HOW TO STAY by KATIE HAMMONDS photos by KATIE and KEVIN HAMMONDS

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