The surgical treatment of knee injuries in skiers.

Although the overall skin injury incidence continues to decline, knee injuries requiring surgery remain extremely common. Emphasis is placed on the history of the skier's fall in making an accurate diagnosis. This injury pattern is then assessed with the skier's age and activity level in determining the most appropriate surgical procedure. The actual surgical intervention is just a portion of the rehabilitation process in returning a skier back to sport as quickly as possible. The most common injuries requiring surgical intervention include meniscal tears, osteochondral fractures, and ligament tears. Our indications and techniques are described. Early focus on postoperative range of motion is emphasized. Strengthening begins only when full, pain-free range of motion is obtained. Utilizing these principles, our goals have been to complete the rehabilitation process coexistent with healing of the injury.