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Adaptive sit-skiing before normal skiing during recovery from knee injury?

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MouldyLabs
Posts: 5 - Karma: 228
I bust up my knee pretty bad back in July while skiing - tore my ACL, MCL, PCL, Meniscus, Patellar tendon, and fractures to my femur and tibia. I'm 4 months in to recovery after my first operation (patellar tendon reconstruction), and have my next one (ACL reconstruction) planned for mid feb.

6 weeks after my next operation is my last university ski trip before I graduate, and the thought of missing it is crushing me. I would LOVE to still go along, and ideally learn to sit-ski. I was just wondering if anyone else had experience (or knows someone who does) with learning to sit ski after an ACL reconstruction - is 6 weeks realistic or is it far too soon?

Any knowledge/advice would be greatly appreciated! Whilst I'm an advanced skier (instructor), I have zero experience with sit ski's, so I don't know if just the movement or risk of toppling over would be too painful/risky 6 weeks post-op. Thank you!
Dec 19 2020 10:05AM
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deathcookie
Posts: 1800 - Karma: 1,196
I feel like it might be pretty hard to get your hands on a sit ski without being part of an adaptive snow program. Those things are pretty expensive.
Dec 19 2020 12:39PM
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animator
Posts: 4552 - Karma: 26,249
deathcookieI feel like it might be pretty hard to get your hands on a sit ski without being part of an adaptive snow program. Those things are pretty expensive.


Correct. They’re reserved for people who need them to ski because of a permanent injury/condition, they’re not toys available to rent. Adaptive programs and equipment are extremely expensive and not for people who are temporarily unable to ski
Dec 19 2020 12:43PM
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Granby_killdozer
Posts: 2380 - Karma: -11,976
If the sit ski won't work then you may be able to try out a snow bike. I know a guy who destroyed his knee and it seems to work for him. You may need a doctor's note to be allowed to use one at your ski area though.
Dec 19 2020 12:46PM
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MouldyLabs
Posts: 5 - Karma: 228
Ah, okay, that makes sense I suppose, cheers for the heads up guys! That being the case then it's a little misleading when they say "Skiing is a physical activity that can be practised whatever your physical situation" on Grandvalira's website: https://www.grandvalira.com/en/adapted-skiing-people-functional-diversity

My first surgeon told me I'd never ski again after that crash so here's to hoping he's wrong!
Dec 19 2020 12:54PM
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skuff
Posts: 18 - Karma: 100
What if you emailed the resort, explain your situation and see if they can accommodate you? May cost you extra money to get out, but you'll be out with your friends.

I volunteer as a ski instructor for an adaptive and developmentally disabled ski program and would have no problem getting someone in your situation out for a few hours.

**This post was edited on Dec 19th 2020 at 1:31:41pm
Dec 19 2020 1:29PM
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Granby_killdozer
Posts: 2380 - Karma: -11,976
MouldyLabsAh, okay, that makes sense I suppose, cheers for the heads up guys! That being the case then it's a little misleading when they say "Skiing is a physical activity that can be practised whatever your physical situation" on Grandvalira's website: https://www.grandvalira.com/en/adapted-skiing-people-functional-diversity

My first surgeon told me I'd never ski again after that crash so here's to hoping he's wrong!


Doctors always give the worst case scenario. If you're young, otherwise healthy, and you take rehab seriously you can probably ski again. Maybe you won't quite be riding at the level you were before your accident but nobody is able to ski at their best forever, injuries or not. Shit I know I guy who lost both his legs and still gets out on a snowboard every once in a while. Just take it as an opportunity to explore other aspects of the sport like backcountry touring.
Dec 19 2020 1:36PM
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Franklinfreeski
Posts: 11 - Karma: 87
Craw_DaddyIf the sit ski won't work then you may be able to try out a snow bike. I know a guy who destroyed his knee and it seems to work for him. You may need a doctor's note to be allowed to use one at your ski area though.


Just finished building mine
Dec 19 2020 2:07PM
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ericforman
Posts: 722 - Karma: 6,212
Send a ping to Trevor K at winter park. He’s pretty much the master of sit ski. Looks like a dude who is trying to spread some stoke.
Dec 19 2020 3:44PM
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MouldyLabs
Posts: 5 - Karma: 228
Thank you so much for all your input everyone, it's been a great help, I really do appreciate it!

I'll see what state I'm in nearer the time and ping out some calls/emails to see if anything's possible, until then I'll carry on going full-force on the daily kneehab grind. Cheers guys, hope you all get some dreamy turns in this season!
Dec 20 2020 8:51AM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11232 - Karma: 76,337
MouldyLabsI bust up my knee pretty bad back in July while skiing - tore my ACL, MCL, PCL, Meniscus, Patellar tendon, and fractures to my femur and tibia. I'm 4 months in to recovery after my first operation (patellar tendon reconstruction), and have my next one (ACL reconstruction) planned for mid feb.

6 weeks after my next operation is my last university ski trip before I graduate, and the thought of missing it is crushing me. I would LOVE to still go along, and ideally learn to sit-ski. I was just wondering if anyone else had experience (or knows someone who does) with learning to sit ski after an ACL reconstruction - is 6 weeks realistic or is it far too soon?

Any knowledge/advice would be greatly appreciated! Whilst I'm an advanced skier (instructor), I have zero experience with sit ski's, so I don't know if just the movement or risk of toppling over would be too painful/risky 6 weeks post-op. Thank you!


Find an adaptive program near you and give them a call!
Dec 20 2020 11:33AM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11232 - Karma: 76,337
MouldyLabsThank you so much for all your input everyone, it's been a great help, I really do appreciate it!

I'll see what state I'm in nearer the time and ping out some calls/emails to see if anything's possible, until then I'll carry on going full-force on the daily kneehab grind. Cheers guys, hope you all get some dreamy turns in this season!


Where I ski not just totally disabled can get some help. Here are some able-bodied folks that are just a bit older.
Dec 20 2020 11:40AM
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skuff
Posts: 18 - Karma: 100
Good luck with the rehab, you'll do great
Dec 20 2020 1:17PM
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AJ.Normand
Posts: 78 - Karma: 170
I recently listened to a podcast with LJ Strenio and he was talking about his knee injury. He shattered his knee cap and tore many other things, the doctors told him that he would never ski again and never walk normal again. They were of course wrong and after a year he said that his knee was back to 100%. I do know that this is a totally different injury but this also proves that doctors are never 100% right. You should take what they say and try and prove them wrong, it’s just another blockade in your life but you will come out stronger and healthier than before. Good luck with your injury and i truly hope that it heals right.
MouldyLabsThank you so much for all your input everyone, it's been a great help, I really do appreciate it!

I'll see what state I'm in nearer the time and ping out some calls/emails to see if anything's possible, until then I'll carry on going full-force on the daily kneehab grind. Cheers guys, hope you all get some dreamy turns in this season!
Dec 20 2020 8:52PM
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