| THE SKIER & SNOWBOARDER MAGAZINE, WINTER | | | | done, I recently treated a woman who injured her |
| 01 | | | | knee on the slopes. She had followed the advice of |
| IN the last two articles in this series, we offered | | | | the medical staff at her resort and underwent an |
| advice on how to prepare your body for the rigours | | | | operation. On her return to England, she could barely |
| of the slopes, to help reduce the likelihood that you | | | | move her leg, and although we have been able to |
| will injure yourself. Another part of your holiday | | | | offer some relief with intensive physiotherapy, she |
| preparation should be spending time researching your | | | | could have a limp for the rest of her life. |
| travel insurance. Should the worst happen, and you | | | | In order to ensure that your holiday does not end in |
| do injure yourself, your situation could get | | | | disaster, you should: |
| dramatically worse if you then find out that your | | | | • Take care to read the small print of |
| insurance does not cover you as comprehensively as | | | | yourtravel insurance. |
| you originally thought. | | | | • If you are unlucky enough to injure |
| It is a little known fact that many insurance policies | | | | yourself, do not be afraid to ask for a second opinion |
| only cover the cost of medical aid while the individual | | | | or request to see the local specialist. |
| is abroad. This makes it very tempting to have | | | | • Ensure that you are fully assessed. |
| whatever treatment is needed immediately after the | | | | • If your insurance does cover you and you |
| accident, while still abroad. This can be a false | | | | are able to travel with your injury, it is better to |
| economy and, in some cases, do more harm than | | | | return to England for further management. |
| good. I have see some patients who have taken this | | | | Hopefully, if you follow this advice, and maintain your |
| course of action and have had to surgically correct | | | | stamina and strength with the stretches and |
| injuries. This is because they have been operated on | | | | exercises previously featured, you will be fully |
| too soon after the accident. | | | | prepared and ready to tackle even the most difficult |
| To give you an example of the damage that can be | | | | of challenges. |