Who is Most at Risk for a Snowboard Wrist Injury?

Originally Published: August 17, 2018, Last Updated: November 27, 2019

Who is Most at Risk for a Snowboard Wrist Injury?

There are quite a few published studies regarding the frequency, type, and prevention methods of snowboard wrist injuries. If you are so inclined, you can spend hours researching risk factors and determining if you or your family fall into what is considered "higher risk" for a wrist injury. Or, if you want a summary that helps you manage risk and move on with your life, read on...

Risk Factors for Snowboard Wrist Injury

So what makes one more likely to suffer a snowboard wrist injury? Here's some data that can help you assess your own or your kids' risk:

According to Dickson et al, the most significant risk factors are:

  • age less than 16
  • being on vacation
  • being a beginner snowboarder

So clearly being young and new to snowboarding are significant risk factors. If you and your kids are heading out on a ski / snowboard vacation, you should take this risk seriously. However, even self described "intermediate" level snowboarders still account for a large proportion of wrist injuries. If you or your kids are more advanced snowboarders, don't get complacent as skills improve. Chances are, as you get better, you're going faster and getting more aggressive in the terrain park!

How to Reduce Risk of Wrist Injury

Wrist Fracture from a Snowboard Crash

The bad news....you can't fake age and you can't fake experience. Those factors are simply a given and not controllable. But, what can you do to reduce your risk of snowboard wrist injury? Here's things that you can control:

  • Wear wrist protection. Snowboard wrist guards are proven effective in reducing wrist injuries.
  • Choose proven wrist guards. Select wrist guard designs that have evidence of improved efficacy in reducing injuries. Some are better than others - choose wisely.
  • Wear gloves with integrated wrist guards. Especially with younger and newer snowboarders, having wrist protection built into their snowboard gloves makes it both comfortable and easy to ensure compliance. Having an integrated glove/guard system also eases the burden of matching guards to gloves and ensuring all pieces are present and work effectively together.
  • Snowboard within your abilities. Of course, you have to know what your own safe limits are, and stay within them.
  • Learn how to fall. There are definitely techniques you can learn and practice that will help reduce the risk of wrist injuries. 

Bottom Line

  • Snowboarding can cause wrist injuries
  • Risk factors are both controllable and non-controllable
  • Many wrist injuries can be prevented
  • Wrist guards are effective at reducing snowboard wrist injuries
  • Wearing wrist guards does not have to be uncomfortable
  • Certain wrist guards are proven more effective and easier to wear
  • Don't wait until you - or your kids - get hurt to wear wrist protection

More info on Different Types of Wrist Guards

If you'd like to read more about the different types of snowboard wrist guards, see our blog Different Snowboard Wrist Guards, and Which One is Best for You.

Ready to Outfit Yourself and Your Family?

Shop our collection of LEVEL snowboard gloves with wrist guards.

 

Shop LEVEL Snowboard Gloves with Wrist Guards - reduce your risk of wrist injury





Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.


Also in Gear Geek

Level Snowboard Gloves with Wrist Guards - are all BioMex guards the same?
Level Snowboard Gloves with Wrist Guards - are all BioMex guards the same?

November 26, 2019

LEVEL's snowboard gloves with wrist guards all feature the proven BioMex wrist protection system inside of the gloves. But not all BioMex guards are exactly the same. We explain the differences...

View full article →

Shop Extra Warm Women's Gloves and Mittens from Bliss by Level
Shop Extra Warm Women's Gloves and Mittens from Bliss by Level

October 18, 2019

Cold hands? Looking for women's gloves or mittens that are proven to keep hands warm - even down to minus 22 degrees? Us too! Learn more...

View full article →

Keep Your Hands Warm with ThermoPlus Warmth Technology for Gloves
Keep Your Hands Warm with ThermoPlus Warmth Technology for Gloves

October 17, 2019

Learn about Level's Thermo-Plus heat retention technology - and how it keeps your hands warm on the mountain!

View full article →