Ski injury triggers of tibial plateau compression fracture

Fractures of the tibial plateau occur in 3.4% of skiing-related fractures and this number is significantly increasing. Despite experimental results, which suggest that significant forces ( over 30 kN) are needed for a compression fracture of the tibial plateau, the fracture often occurs during an accident with no serious fall or collision. We show that a possible trigger for the injury is a sudden pull of a ski, towards the centre of the ski turn, due to a momentary reduction in the turn radius while passing a snow brim or hollow depression. A sudden deceleration of the skier´s leg can initiate the tibial rotation, leg extension and its swing to backwards. The swing of the leg can end with a sudden stop because of limited movability in hip and knee joints. The rotational energy of the ski and lower leg produces an extensive torque in the knee joint and compression force on the tibial plateau that can cause a serious injury.