Surfers' injuries and traumas

Knee sprains and ankle sprains are very frequent among surfers, as tricks become ever more sophisticated and risky. Muscle strengthening combined with excellent physical preparation is unavoidable.

The joints of the lower limbs first of all — the knees, then the ankles, as well as the hips — are put through the mill by repetitive, intense training sessions in impressive waves.

We see knee ligament injuries (cruciate and collateral ligaments), coupled or not with meniscus problems, and patellofemoral syndromes caused by the repetition of technical movements performed in a crouched position.

Both types of injury — cruciate and collateral — are regularly seen in expert surfers.

In beginner or intermediate surfers, injuries are mainly caused by their own boards, or when drifting and colliding with a neighbouring surfer's board.

In this case, the injuries are often head wounds but also sprains, dislocations and fractures combined with bruising all over the body.

Surfer's low back pain is also frequent: lumbar pain is felt by three-quarters of surfers. Beginner or intermediate surfers get back pain mainly caused by lumbar hyperlordosis when lying flat on the board and paddling to catch the wave.

Their back pain has different causes and consequences.

In the first case, hyperlordosis causes pain from the static hold on the board.

In the second case, the succession of lumbar twisting and counter-twisting movements performed repetitively and intensely results in low back pain combined with fatigue aches.

In every case, prevention through a programme of strengthening, stretching and proprioceptive balance exercises is essential.

A lumbar support belt in a neotex-type material will also relieve surfers during their sport.