You are not Kim Yu-na

By Song Sang-ho

I passed by Seoul City Hall a few days ago. The square, which is crowded with people during summer, had been turned into an ice rink. Especially in cold weather like these days when the temperature goes below zero. Ice rinks are popular among people who enjoy skating. In addition, as the figure skater Kim Yu-na has returned to competition this winter, I believe ice rinks will become even more crowded.

However, it is my professional habit as an orthopedist to think about the risks of injury when I see children trying to move and balance on the ice rink. In fact, you should take caution as skating can cause various joint injuries including to the knees, hips, back, and ankles, due to factors like cold, the ice, skating blades and stiff muscles.

Skating on ice poses a high risk of knee injuries. Many people slip and fall when they try and balance on thin skate blades. If you stumble forward, the weight moves to the top of the knees and can cause a shock to the cartilage. Damaged cartilage can lead to patellar osteomalacia where the knee joint fills with fluid or the cartilage is broken. It can also progress into degenerative arthritis and require an operation.

Another frequent injury is cruciate ligament rupture. Many people often dismiss the swelling and pain as a simple bruise when they fall while skating. However, if a knee is unstable or feels loose even after the pain and bruise disappear, the cruciate ligament in the knee joint is likely to have been ruptured. The rupture must be correctly diagnosed as it can require surgical treatment.

The hip joint is no exception. Kim Yu-na gave up on the International Skating Union (ISU) Four Continents Championship 2008 because of hip joint pain. When you fall on the ice, it not only causes bruise, but it can also lead to a fracture. Fractures are difficult to heal naturally and very dangerous because of the possibility of an aftereffect or disorder. Also, you need to wear a hip guard after treatment to prevent a recurrence.

In addition, you need to pay attention to joints in the spine and ankles. As the body weight is supported by thin skate blades, a small movement of the foot can bend the ankle and cause a sprain. Also, when colliding, the spine can be bent or the back muscle can be strained, causing a lumbar sprain or herniated inter-vertebral disc.

It can be even riskier if you try to imitate Kim thinking you are good at skating. The spin move can unsettle the spinal muscles and make the spine bend. Also, a joint injury can seriously affect the physeal plate, and children must pay particular attention to safety.

Adults, too, must be careful when skating because joint tissues weaken with age. It is essential to do enough stretching before skating. In the case of beginners, they should prevent injury by learning in advance the proper methods of falling from a trainer or expert. Safety equipment such as a helmet and knee guards are indispensable as well.

This winter is particularly cold. People want to make warm memories with their family or loved ones. From a father who teaches his child how to skate by holding their hand to lovers who are just happy to be together, or students who are enjoying the vacation, everyone should be careful about safety to make the happiest memories with the best safety.

The writer is the president of Wellton Bone & Joint Hospital.