Snowboarding

QUESTION: My children want to try snowboarding. Isn’t it dangerous?

ANSWER:  Snowboarding is today’s fastest growing winter sports activity. It is particularly popular among children and adolescents. Novice snowboarders are more likely than skiers to injure their arms. This usually involves a break of the wrist or forearm bones. However, the use of wrist guards like those used by in-line skaters can cut the risk of a broken wrist in half. 

Snowboarding actually places less severe stresses on the leg and knee than skiing does. Serious injury to the legs are, therefore, less common than among skiers. That can make it a good alternative for older skiers looking for ways to protect their knees

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WRITTEN BY: William M. Mirenda, Jr., M. D.