ACL Tears in Winter Sports

Expert Insights from Dr. Terrell Joseph, Orthopaedic Surgeon at Vail-Summit Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery

Winter sports bring excitement, speed, and the unique rush of playing or training on snow and ice. They also bring an increased risk of knee injuries, especially injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament. ACL tears in ice hockey, ACL surgery and skiing, and ACL injury in the winter are some of the most common issues Dr. Terrell Joseph treats once temperatures drop and athletes return to the mountains and rinks.

Below, Dr. Joseph answers the most important questions about preventing and recovering from ACL injury in the winter, helping athletes understand their risks and get back to the sports they love.

What Makes Winter Sports Risky for ACL Tears?

Winter sports combine speed, unpredictable terrain, and quick pivoting. Skiers often twist the knee while the foot remains locked in the binding. Ice hockey players experience sudden changes in direction, collisions, and edge catching. These forces place significant load on the ACL, leading to ACL tears in ice hockey, ACL injury in the winter, and even multi-ligament damage in high impact scenarios.

Dr. Joseph explains, “Winter athletes push their bodies in dynamic ways, and the ACL is especially vulnerable on snow and ice. Understanding how these injuries happen is the first step toward preventing them.”

Which Winter Sports Have the Highest Rates of ACL Injury?

The most common sports leading to ACL injury in the winter include skiing, snowboarding, figure skating, and ice hockey. In particular:

Skiing

Twisting falls, catching an edge, or backward leaning can overload the ACL. This often leads to situations requiring ACL surgery and skiing recovery plans.

Ice Hockey

Fast acceleration and immediate stopping, contact with other players, or a skate catching on the ice can create the perfect storm for ACL tears in ice hockey.

Snowboarding and Skating

Although less common, awkward landings and rotational forces still place the ACL at risk.

How Do You Know If You Have an ACL Tear?

An ACL tear often presents with a sudden pop, immediate swelling, difficulty bearing weight, and knee instability. Winter athletes frequently describe the feeling as the knee “giving out.” Anyone who experiences these symptoms after a fall or collision should be evaluated promptly to confirm or rule out ACL injury in the winter.

What Is the Treatment for an ACL Tear?

Treatment depends on the severity of the injury and the patient’s activity goals. Many athletes who wish to return to high level winter sports choose reconstruction. This is where ACL surgery and skiing recovery becomes especially important.

Non-surgical options may include bracing, strengthening, and targeted physical therapy. However, most complete ACL tears require surgical reconstruction to restore knee stability.

How Long Until You Can Ski or Skate Again After ACL Surgery?

Returning to skiing or ice hockey safely after reconstruction requires strength, balance, and confidence. Full return to sport often takes six to nine months. Dr. Joseph emphasizes individualized recovery plans for ACL surgery and skiing athletes because each athlete has different goals and demands.

“Winter athletes need strong quadriceps, excellent dynamic balance, and rotational control,” Dr. Joseph says. “We guide skiers and hockey players through a stepwise return that protects the new graft while building sport specific strength.”

Can ACL Tears Be Prevented in Winter Sports?

Yes. While no prevention program is perfect, athletes can reduce the risk of ACL injury in the winter with the following:

• Proper equipment adjustments, especially ski bindings

• Lower body and core strengthening

• Neuromuscular training focusing on landing mechanics

• Warm up routines prior to skiing or skating

• Keeping knees slightly flexed during downhill or rapid directional changes

Athletes in sports like ice hockey can further reduce risk by improving edge control and avoiding straight leg movements when changing direction.

What Is the Outlook for Athletes After an ACL Tear?

With proper treatment and rehabilitation, most athletes can return to skiing, skating, and competitive winter sports. Dr. Joseph works closely with therapists to provide safe timelines for reentry, particularly for those managing ACL tears in ice hockey, ACL surgery and skiing, and other forms of ACL injury in the winter.

“Our goal is to help every athlete return to winter with confidence,” Dr. Joseph says. “With modern surgical techniques and structured therapy, outcomes are excellent.”

When to See a Knee Specialist

If you experience knee instability, swelling, or a painful twist on the slopes or rink, schedule an evaluation with Dr. Joseph. Early diagnosis improves recovery and sets the stage for a safe return to winter sports.

About Dr. Terrell Joseph

Dr. Terrell Joseph is a board certified orthopedic surgeon at Vail Summit Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery specializing in the treatment of knee, shoulder, and upper extremity injuries for active individuals. Located in Vail, Frisco, and Edwards, Colorado, he helps winter athletes return to the sports they love through expert diagnosis, advanced surgical care, and tailored rehabilitation programs.