Re: Brachial Plexus
WLifford
Description
Collection
Title:
Re: Brachial Plexus
Creator:
WLifford
Text:
Mr. Banziger,
As an ex-ski racer and avid hobby skier, I have found that the most efficient
pole plant when turning is actually done with both arms held forward as if
driving a car (the steering wheel, hands at 10 o'clock and two o'clock). To
pole plant with the arms abducted is actually planting quite late in the
turning sequence. Perhaps some private skiing lessons with a qualified
instructor can help her initiate her turns more aggressively and thus reduce
her use of the arm in the abducted position.
The abducted arm pole plant is probably the most common sloppy mistake in
form... in icy or sticky snow this can cause the pole to stick and whip the
arm backward, causing injury. The mistake is so common that many skiers
mistake it for good form, as it can be seen on fairly advanced skiers
everywhere. With upper extremity weakness, it would be easy to catch a pole
and pull the arm backwards as I described above.
It is quite possible, also, to ski quite well (parallel turns on expert
trails) without any poles at all. Lifting her uphill ski slightly off the
ground and concentrating on angulating her downhill ski's inside edge into the
snow will allow her to carve turns with little or no pole assistance. Holding
one or both poles out forward (like a hockey player cross-checking someone)
can be very helpful in providing extra balance, but would eliminate the arm
abduction and would force her to focus on her turning skills.
Bill Lifford
prosthetics resident, Alabama Prosthetics and Orthotics, Inc.
(334) 286-9919
As an ex-ski racer and avid hobby skier, I have found that the most efficient
pole plant when turning is actually done with both arms held forward as if
driving a car (the steering wheel, hands at 10 o'clock and two o'clock). To
pole plant with the arms abducted is actually planting quite late in the
turning sequence. Perhaps some private skiing lessons with a qualified
instructor can help her initiate her turns more aggressively and thus reduce
her use of the arm in the abducted position.
The abducted arm pole plant is probably the most common sloppy mistake in
form... in icy or sticky snow this can cause the pole to stick and whip the
arm backward, causing injury. The mistake is so common that many skiers
mistake it for good form, as it can be seen on fairly advanced skiers
everywhere. With upper extremity weakness, it would be easy to catch a pole
and pull the arm backwards as I described above.
It is quite possible, also, to ski quite well (parallel turns on expert
trails) without any poles at all. Lifting her uphill ski slightly off the
ground and concentrating on angulating her downhill ski's inside edge into the
snow will allow her to carve turns with little or no pole assistance. Holding
one or both poles out forward (like a hockey player cross-checking someone)
can be very helpful in providing extra balance, but would eliminate the arm
abduction and would force her to focus on her turning skills.
Bill Lifford
prosthetics resident, Alabama Prosthetics and Orthotics, Inc.
(334) 286-9919
Citation
WLifford, “Re: Brachial Plexus,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 2, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/210178.
