Yesterday, I went skiing at Waterville Valley - my first time skiing on the eastern half of North America! I have to say, it was much better than I expected, and since I went right after a huge snowfall (Nashua received 12 inches of the white stuff), the powder was almost perfect. There were still a couple of icy patches, but what else can you expect when everyone decides to hit the slopes?
From what I could tell, there was one main chairlift which took us right to the top of the mountain - I went up twice. The first time, carving my way down on my skis was exhilarating - it made me wish the holidays were sooner so I could do some skiing at home!
However, on my second run, I took a turn and something awkward happened to my right knee. I was turning left, and for some reason, it felt as if my knee joint twisted right before turning left with the rest of my body. I didn't fall, nor did I feel any pain, so I figured everything was okay. That was until I completed the turn and leaned on my right leg.
I fell almost immediately and experienced pain emanating from my knee. Normally, it only takes me a few seconds to shrug off a fall and get back up on my skis; but this time, I lay down on the snow for a good couple of minutes. The other people who I was skiing with came over and asked me if I was alright - whether I could stand up or not. When the pain subsided, I stood up and continued skiing - things felt normal.
Until the next left turn. Just like the first fall, my knee buckled. Except this time, it didn't bend towards the front or back. It bent sideways. When I managed to pick myself up again, I didn't try to ski normally - from that point, I skied sideways (leaning on my left leg) at an excruciatingly slow pace all the way down the mountain to first aid.
Thankfully, my coworker stayed with me throughout the entire ordeal. He helped me fill out the papers at the clinic, returned my rentals, found the locker with my shoes, and waited for me to come out of the ER. After a couple of X-rays, which confirmed that I hadn't broken any bones, I came out with a splint on my right leg, leaning on a pair of crutches.
Within the next couple of weeks, I've been advised to see an orthopedic surgeon to see whether or not I've torn a ligament. If I have, I could walk off with prescribed physical therapy, or I may need surgery. Hopefully I won't need surgery.
From what I could tell, there was one main chairlift which took us right to the top of the mountain - I went up twice. The first time, carving my way down on my skis was exhilarating - it made me wish the holidays were sooner so I could do some skiing at home!
However, on my second run, I took a turn and something awkward happened to my right knee. I was turning left, and for some reason, it felt as if my knee joint twisted right before turning left with the rest of my body. I didn't fall, nor did I feel any pain, so I figured everything was okay. That was until I completed the turn and leaned on my right leg.
I fell almost immediately and experienced pain emanating from my knee. Normally, it only takes me a few seconds to shrug off a fall and get back up on my skis; but this time, I lay down on the snow for a good couple of minutes. The other people who I was skiing with came over and asked me if I was alright - whether I could stand up or not. When the pain subsided, I stood up and continued skiing - things felt normal.
Until the next left turn. Just like the first fall, my knee buckled. Except this time, it didn't bend towards the front or back. It bent sideways. When I managed to pick myself up again, I didn't try to ski normally - from that point, I skied sideways (leaning on my left leg) at an excruciatingly slow pace all the way down the mountain to first aid.
Thankfully, my coworker stayed with me throughout the entire ordeal. He helped me fill out the papers at the clinic, returned my rentals, found the locker with my shoes, and waited for me to come out of the ER. After a couple of X-rays, which confirmed that I hadn't broken any bones, I came out with a splint on my right leg, leaning on a pair of crutches.
Within the next couple of weeks, I've been advised to see an orthopedic surgeon to see whether or not I've torn a ligament. If I have, I could walk off with prescribed physical therapy, or I may need surgery. Hopefully I won't need surgery.
Comments
I'll definitely give you a call when I get back - it'll probably be Christmas Eve.