Returning to Winter Sports After an ACL Injury
By: Kaitlyn Smith, PT, DPT As an avid skier who has experienced both the icy slopes of the East Coast and the powdery trails out West, one thing remains constant: knee injuries are a leading concern in skiing and snowboarding accidents. In 2024, these injuries accounted for 27-41% of incidents at ski resorts, commonly involving ACL or MCL sprains. Unfortunately, following ACL repair surgery, the risk of re-injury—either at the repair site or the opposite knee—increases due to natural compensations. To address this, physical therapists have developed detailed return-to-sport protocols…
