McLaren sees influx in injuries due to winter sports

PETOSKEY — Northern Michigan's winter months bring many tourists north to try their hand at the numerous winter sports available in the region.

However, without the proper experience or preparation, many find themselves in the emergency room.

McLaren Northern Michigan hospital in Petoskey has seen an influx of injuries due to winter sports in the ER already this winter.

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Emergency physician Dr. Jon Alterie said he is currently seeing an increase in this type of traumatic injury patient, coupled with a rise in viral activity and ill patients seeking care in the ER.

"We are seeing more people on ski hills and on the road trying new sports and activities that they only do once or twice a year and that can lead to some very serious injuries," Alterie said.

Some of the most common injuries are from snowboarding and ski activities.

"We typically see the snowboarders with wrist and shoulder injuries and the skiers with knee injuries," said Alterie.

Concussions are prevalent in both sports, and in ice skating as well.

"When people choose not to wear a helmet it leads to a concussion," Alterie said, adding that an "overwhelming majority" of head injuries due to winter sports in the ER are from people who were not wearing a helmet.

Alterie said a majority of snowboard and ski injuries are the result of two people colliding, and that all age ranges are equally vulnerable to these types of accidents.

"The majority of injuries is not a snowboarder or skier hitting a tree or falling, it's when two people collide," he said. "That's when we see the most serious injuries. We see concussions, we see brain bleeds, we see blunt abdominal trauma that leads to liver lacerations and splenic hemorrhages ... you would not imagine how seriously injured people can get from skiing and snowboarding."

Alterie also mentioned an increase in traffic accidents due to icy road conditions and inexperienced winter drivers.

"When the weather conditions change and people are not used to driving in these conditions, we see an increase in accidents. My recommendations is that seat belts save lives, and also slowing down and keeping a greater distance between the car in front of you," said Alterie.

— Contact reporter Annie Doyle at (231) 675-0099 or adoyle@charlevoixcourier

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: McLaren sees influx in injuries due to winter sports