Post Skiing Injury Mentality

In lieu of all the injuries this season (and especially mine), I was wondering about peoples post skiing injury mentalities. Specifically, their mentality when they get back on the slopes. Assuming I'm fully recovered (physically) by the time I go skiing again (this spring or next winter) I'm wondering about how I'm going to feel those first few runs/days/weeks. I guess my biggest fear is taking a step back in my skiing due to fear of getting injured again (hit tree, broke leg). Maye that'll only last a few runs/days/weeks though. Thoughts from anyone who's been there? (or anyone else for that matter)

ps. did a search but couldn't find much.

Without a doubt, trusting your injured/reconstructed llimb/joint is the hardest part of rehab. But doing your rehab and making those small gains that lead up to big steps forward is the easiest and best way to begin to have faith in your limb/joint again. The progressions you will follow in rehab should be designed to lead your naturally up to a full return to whatever activity you are doing. By completeing those progressions you'll gain that trust you'll need to eventually stop thinking about your limb as "injured".

I've only just torn my acl, haven't had surgery yet. But I have been amazed at how many people have said 'guess you will have to take it easy now' or 'maybe this will slow you down'.

so far my only answer has been 'damn i hope not'.

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Originally Posted by Vinman

Without a doubt, trusting your injured/reconstructed llimb/joint is the hardest part of rehab. But doing your rehab and making those small gains that lead up to big steps forward is the easiest and best way to begin to have faith in your limb/joint again. The progressions you will follow in rehab should be designed to lead your naturally up to a full return to whatever activity you are doing. By completeing those progressions you'll gain that trust you'll need to eventually stop thinking about your limb as "injured".

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I'm definately going through a "trust my injured leg" stage right now as i'm trying to put more and more weight on it but am a little hesitant to go too far. However, let's say by this summer I'm healed up to the point where I don't even think about it. I'm thinking that when i get back on skis (where the injury happened), i might think back to "how" i got injured and be a little less aggressive. Hopefully this won't last (long)though.

I had to take it easy for a couple of years. It's still not 100%, but that's me and I had a bad tear and meniscus damage.

I'm >>almost<< back to where I was, but I am really careful about jumping cliffs now.

Buster - i might have a Grade I meniscus tear. How bad was yours?

criscam - I came back from a shoulder dislocation really tentative. Did a lot of low angled ski tours to start off. Still don't trust it much on jump turns and still cringe when I bodycheck trees with the bad shoulder. It took me about 20 - 30 days of skiing to get over it. Even then I still haven't gotten over it fully.

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Originally Posted by LeeLau

Buster - i might have a Grade I meniscus tear. How bad was yours?

criscam - I came back from a shoulder dislocation really tentative. Did a lot of low angled ski tours to start off. Still don't trust it much on jump turns and still cringe when I bodycheck trees with the bad shoulder. It took me about 20 - 30 days of skiing to get over it. Even then I still haven't gotten over it fully.

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LeeLau,
How long since your shoulder injury? We talking a few years?

real quick, cause I am running out the door

search for a post on Shoulder Seperation by Theodore for more thoughts

in short, yes. I was very tenative at first, but it did come back. Took about a month to be able to ski fast(ish) near other people in the resort, took a couple months to not be weirded out at all, at risk for re-injury, and took the first couple serious falls of the NEXT season (nine months later) before I believed and trusted in the joint; BUT, in practice, the recovery was actually probably complete long before. Because my injury was "smaller" (ie, not an ACL, achilles, etc), my mental barrier turned out to take much more recovery time to work through than the physical healing.

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Originally Posted by Yossarian

real quick, cause I am running out the door

search for a post on Shoulder Seperation by Theodore for more thoughts

in short, yes. I was very tenative at first, but it did come back. Took about a month to be able to ski fast(ish) near other people in the resort, took a couple months to not be weirded out at all, at risk for re-injury, and took the first couple serious falls of the NEXT season (nine months later) before I believed and trusted in the joint; BUT, in practice, the recovery was actually probably complete long before. Because my injury was "smaller" (ie, not an ACL, achilles, etc), my mental barrier turned out to take much more recovery time to work through than the physical healing.

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found it Y. thnx.

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Originally Posted by fez

I've only just torn my acl, haven't had surgery yet. But I have been amazed at how many people have said 'guess you will have to take it easy now' or 'maybe this will slow you down'.

so far my only answer has been 'damn i hope not'.

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I get SO sick of people saying that to me. especially saying you should just give it up entirely. That seems like the worst mentality, you get beat down and just give up? fuck that.

In terms of the first turns back out there, maybe not the first, the first ones you feel good about, they feel like the best turns in your life and you remember why you love this sport so much and really nothing else matters to you.

No kidding. That attitude just kills me.

I've taken each recovery as an opportunity to come back better and stronger. Of course, it would be nice if I took the time to work on things like balance before I ever got injured in the first time, but I think very few people really know much about their knees (or other joints) until they injure themselves. Afterwards I learned how to stay safer, ski better, and listen to my body - while still pushing myself. Starting from scratch also forces you into working on the basics again, which most of us probably neglect. And then once I start working my way back to where I was pre-injury, I end up feeling more solid than before and it all works out. And so much of it is in your head - believe you can come back better and stronger and come up with a plan to do it and you will.

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Originally Posted by criscam

LeeLau,
How long since your shoulder injury? We talking a few years?

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sorry - jsut saw this. 1 year 3 months. only really bothers me swinging ice tools or making placements for climbing now. Really Im effectively fully recovered. My ortho recommended against surgery. partial tear of 2 rotator cuff ligaments so not as bad as some.

Agree with all that's been said. I have found, though, that it is really that 2nd season back when you forget about it completely. Last year I played in a b-ball league and while I never had a problem, I was always a conscious of the repaired knee. Last night was the first game of this season, and after the game I realized I never thought about it once.

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Originally Posted by criscam

In lieu of all the injuries this season (and especially mine), I was wondering about peoples post skiing injury mentalities. Specifically, their mentality when they get back on the slopes. Assuming I'm fully recovered (physically) by the time I go skiing again (this spring or next winter) I'm wondering about how I'm going to feel those first few runs/days/weeks. I guess my biggest fear is taking a step back in my skiing due to fear of getting injured again (hit tree, broke leg). Maye that'll only last a few runs/days/weeks though. Thoughts from anyone who's been there? (or anyone else for that matter)

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I'm not sure if I can explain....but for some reason, I'm finding myself skiing more aggressively post-injury.

I missed nearly all of a last season rehabing a torn ACL & meniscus (suffered off the mountain), and came back to the snow at about 4.5 months post-op. My first few runs were very cautious groomers, but I quickly ramped up from there....and this year I seem to be gunning for things (airs, sketch lines) more so than I used too.

I put a lot of hard work into my rehab last year, and I think the reasons for being more aggressive this season are: 1) I don't want to "waste" the rehab that I did and in the back of my mind this has me feeling really strong, 2) I might have something to prove to myself that I'm stronger coming out of surgery than I was going in, 3) my wiring is just fucked up and I just don't care about not getting hurt anymore :D

However, when i came back last year (maybe 15 days on snow before the season ended in July) I was ALWAYS thinking about my knee. always. I haven't thought about it at all yet this year and I stopped skiing with a brace in September.

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Originally Posted by Tyrone Shoelaces

I'm not sure if I can explain....but for some reason, I'm finding myself skiing more aggressively post-injury.

I missed nearly all of a last season rehabing a torn ACL & meniscus (suffered off the mountain), and came back to the snow at about 4.5 months post-op. My first few runs were very cautious groomers, but I quickly ramped up from there....and this year I seem to be gunning for things (airs, sketch lines) more so than I used too.

I put a lot of hard work into my rehab last year, and I think the reasons for being more aggressive this season are: 1) I don't want to "waste" the rehab that I did and in the back of my mind this has me feeling really strong, 2) I might have something to prove to myself that I'm stronger coming out of surgery than I was going in, 3) my wiring is just fucked up and I just don't care about not getting hurt anymore :D


However, when i came back last year (maybe 15 days on snow before the season ended in July) I was ALWAYS thinking about my knee. always. I haven't thought about it at all yet this year and I stopped skiing with a brace in September.

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That's reassuring TS. One of my goals is to try and get out on the slopes sometime late spring (not sure if this is realistic yet or not). Even if it's just hiking up powmow or 'basin just to make a few turns. I think that might get some of next years anxiety out of the way.
I also agree with the "not wasting rehab" mentality that could also be looked at as a "not wasting another ski season" mentality. Rehab hard now so next year won't be a loss.

As I've posted before, I shattered my leg racing when I was 15 and did some permanent nerve damage. Long story short, I was in the hospital for a long time, rehabed and had several surgeries for years after. I am reminded every day as I can't jog, have fused toes, etc. etc. etc. The result is that I'll never ski the same again, even 14 years later. Sad but true, I know. I used to huck like crazy and do all sorts of stupid shit. Now I suppose I'm a better skier, perhaps stronger and more fluid, but I just don't have the balls that I used to simply because I am way too familiar with the consequences of a serious accident. Sorry to be a downer, but it's the truth for me. :(

Very interesting to read everyone's opinions on this.

Agree, that I hate the "time to slow down mentality".

I tore my ACL last dec, and skied mellow (mostly :biggrin: ) until Apr 1. That was a good learning experience for me, because it reminded me that I fricking love skiing (even if no adrenaline is involved).

Now however, I am on TS's wave length....mainly #2 for me. I find myself definately trying to prove something to myself, and it is going great. It was baby steps at first, but I just kept trying more. Now I have had lots of hucks, flat landings, one wicked tomahawk, and it is all good.

Hopefully this Sat, we get to REALLY test it (the snow at Squaw has prevented any "real" cliffs thus far).

Good luck with your recovery/head. Watch ski vids and visualize. You still have it.....it is just a head game.

I have had a lot of injuries, and this comes up often. I broke my back when I was 12 and it was implied/suggested that I would have to lead a pretty 'physically low key' life and basically give up my athletic dreams. 5 months after a projected 2 year recovery back fusion I was back playing soccer and skiing harder than I ever had before. Since then Ive blown out my knee, had heart surgery, broken lots of stuff and torn lots of stuff. I constantly hear the "well I guess this means you are going to start taking it easier blah blah blah" crap. And every time I bounce back only to be stronger than I was before. Maybe I am reckless, maybe crazy, and I definately am not invincible. But I firmly believe it is all in the attitude you take. Injuries give me a chance to take a step back and re-evaluate my life, the choices and risks I take on almost a daily basis. And every time it only fuels my passion, my passion for skiing and for living the kind of limitless life I love so much.

I was worried about the mental barrier this season as I ended my season early because of a blown ACL last January. After 4 and a half months of hard rehab I was making my first tentative turns again this summer in New Zealand. As I started gaining my strength I began to trust my knee and trust myself again, and this season has once again become my best and I have seen my skiing progress more than I could have imagined. Sure, I am still cautious of my knee and wear my brace often, but trying to ween myself off it. I am concious of it but not paranoid, I think if anything it has just made me smarter.

I know the reason why is because of the attitude I chose to take. Every time I get injured I take it just as a chance to get stronger.

I'd say I'm still a bit hesitant at times with my knee, but in the mode that I'm not going to let it stop me. I am continually amazed as I feel improvemets as well - mostly stupid stuff like walking down a steep hill and having it feel solid, going out for an awkward kick turn and being able to balance, accidentally dropping a cornice in flat light and landing with no issue. It's those small things that have really helped to build my confidence. I think my issue is that I still favor my stronger leg and since I haven't been putting in a lot of resort days my skiing legs are not as strong as they could be . . . so on 2500' top-to-bottom b/c lines, my right leg wears out faster. But, all things considered, I'll take it. I am skiing more tentatively overall I think, but am hoping this subsides with time.

Oh, and rock on Miss Fineline! You certainly have quite the spirit and am impressed with your attitude, recoveries, and outlook. This place certainly has no lack of inspiration :)

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Originally Posted by Tyrone Shoelaces

I'm not sure if I can explain....but for some reason, I'm finding myself skiing more aggressively post-injury.

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this is something i've found myself thinking about alot in recent months. i've been injured in the past (ACL 4 years ago - don't even notice it anymore) but this summer I wrecked myself pretty badly in a climbing accident, to the tune of a helicopter ride and a week the in the hospital - broken pelvis, shattered shoulder requiring massive amounts of hardware to jigsaw back together again, in general i was in bad shape. it was something that had the potential to be a real life-altering injury, i was told that skiing (!!), climbing, running, etc. were all 'possibilities' but that the docs really didn't know.
I know you'll all understand when i say that skiing, climbing, being fit and on top of my game, are things that i feel define me. They're not my life (i'm a PhD student for pete's sake) but honestly I don't know who I would be without those things. and having to spend a fair amount of time in bed thinking about it made me only more aware of that. and a funny thing happened - in my completely gimped up state, i started to get excited about getting fit again, getting hard again. I worked my ass off, was on skis three months and 5 days after the accident (i was originally told it might take that long to be fully walking again), and saturday will be day #40 of probably my best ski season ever. the first days back were the toughest thing i ever did, i was terrified, my brain was screaming at me to slow down, stop. so i took it easy, worked up slowly, and i now can honestly say i have never been so fired up to get out often and ski long and hard. I literally cannot wipe the grin off my face after every run I take, no matter the conditions; feeling that I have the power to make my body work the way I want it to is a new brand of satisfaction that has entered my life since this injury.
now as for climbing again, it may be a different story, as climbing is all head game to start with, and now infinitely more so. but come this summer, we'll see.
whew that was my longest post yet, but i think this issue - pushing through and beyond injury, is really something thats central to the lifestyle we all lead. all you folks who are hurtin, good luck with the rehab.

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Originally Posted by lhs

this is something i've found myself thinking about alot in recent months. i've been injured in the past (ACL 4 years ago - don't even notice it anymore) but this summer I wrecked myself pretty badly in a climbing accident, to the tune of a helicopter ride and a week the in the hospital - broken pelvis, shattered shoulder requiring massive amounts of hardware to jigsaw back together again, in general i was in bad shape. it was something that had the potential to be a real life-altering injury, i was told that skiing (!!), climbing, running, etc. were all 'possibilities' but that the docs really didn't know.
I know you'll all understand when i say that skiing, climbing, being fit and on top of my game, are things that i feel define me. They're not my life (i'm a PhD student for pete's sake) but honestly I don't know who I would be without those things. and having to spend a fair amount of time in bed thinking about it made me only more aware of that. and a funny thing happened - in my completely gimped up state, i started to get excited about getting fit again, getting hard again. I worked my ass off, was on skis three months and 5 days after the accident (i was originally told it might take that long to be fully walking again), and saturday will be day #40 of probably my best ski season ever. the first days back were the toughest thing i ever did, i was terrified, my brain was screaming at me to slow down, stop. so i took it easy, worked up slowly, and i now can honestly say i have never been so fired up to get out often and ski long and hard. I literally cannot wipe the grin off my face after every run I take, no matter the conditions; feeling that I have the power to make my body work the way I want it to is a new brand of satisfaction that has entered my life since this injury.
now as for climbing again, it may be a different story, as climbing is all head game to start with, and now infinitely more so. but come this summer, we'll see.
whew that was my longest post yet, but i think this issue - pushing through and beyond injury, is really something thats central to the lifestyle we all lead. all you folks who are hurtin, good luck with the rehab.

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Can I get an oh yeah?

OH YEAH!

nice words lhs & fineline & huckwheat. I can relate to that stuff big time.