With increasing ability, skiers are able to keep both legs parallel which improves the efficiency of turning and allows for higher speeds to be achieved. In turn, this can lead to more severe injuries being sustained in the event of an accident. Most commonly affects beginner and low-intermediate skiers. Injury results from excessive valgus force being applied to the knee joint, either as the result of a fall, the skis crossing, or the snowplough stance widening. In more proficient skiers, usually occurs as a result of unexpectedly catching an edge .
Examination reveals tenderness over the medial collateral ligament and pain on weight bearing.
In the acute phase, pain usually precludes accurate assessment of ligament stability. Grade three tears may require surgical repair or the application of a plaster cylinder. Avoiding wide snowplough stances which are inherently unstable. Beginners are advised to allow a fall to occur rather than attempting to resist which in turn may lead to more damage. Often diagnosed late if at all.