Introduction

Skiing is one of the most exciting winter sports, enjoyed by millions every season. However, it carries its share of risks, especially injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee. ACL injuries are among the most common and serious for skiers, often leading to long recovery times and impacting future performance.

With so much information out there, many skiers have strong opinions about how best to prevent these injuries, especially regarding knee braces. Unfortunately, some of these views are based on myths or misunderstandings. This article aims to clear things up by looking at the facts, offering expert insights from orthopaedic specialist Professor Paul Lee and the MSK Doctors team, and sharing relevant findings from professional athletes like Lindsey Vonn.

Myth Versus Fact: Can Knee Braces Really Prevent ACL Tears?

A common belief is that knee braces can fully prevent ACL injuries by stopping the front or back sliding movement of the shinbone that stresses the ligament. The truth is more complicated.

Research and clinical experience show that most knee braces can’t completely stop ACL tears. The knee is a complex joint, and the forces involved in skiing accidents can be very high. Professor Paul Lee explains that braces do offer support but cannot replace the essential roles of good training, muscle strength, and correct technique. In short, braces are helpful tools but not magic shields.

The Mechanical Limits of Knee Braces in Skiing

Knee braces are designed to stabilise the joint and limit certain risky movements, such as the forwards or backwards shift of the tibia relative to the thighbone. These movements, technically called anterior and posterior translation, commonly stress the ACL.

However, skiing places intense and multi-directional demands on the knee—forces that most braces simply cannot resist fully. Studies show that while braces can help with minor knee instabilities and improve a skier’s awareness of their joint position (known as proprioception), they cannot prevent the severe impacts that usually cause ACL injuries. Supporting this, recent research found that “an individual skiing style seems to have more impact on ACL injury mechanisms than ski equipment” (Posch et al., 2021).

Psychological Comfort: Why Athletes Still Wear Braces

Many skiers, from amateurs to world-class athletes like Lindsey Vonn, wear knee braces for more than just physical support—they find psychological reassurance in them. Feeling more secure can boost confidence and potentially improve performance.

But it’s important to remember there’s a difference between feeling safe and actually being protected. While the mental benefits of braces are real, these shouldn’t replace tried-and-tested strategies for injury prevention. Professor Paul Lee and the MSK Doctors team take a holistic approach, focusing on both mental wellbeing and physical rehabilitation to support athletes’ overall recovery and safety. Another study points out that “risk-taking behaviour and accident characteristics” play a bigger role in injury risk than equipment or injury severity (Posch et al., 2021).

Best Practices: What Actually Reduces the Risk of ACL Injury

The best way to reduce ACL injury risk is through a combination of smart training, muscle strengthening, and sound technique—rather than relying solely on equipment.

Key exercises target the quadriceps and hamstrings, improving muscle strength and joint control, which helps protect the knee in stressful situations. Knee braces can be part of a broader injury prevention plan, but they should be seen as supplementary.

Environmental factors can also influence injury risk. One study highlighted that certain conditions—including fresh snow, grippy or icy slopes, colder temperatures, and surprisingly, skiing on easier slopes—are linked with higher ACL injury risk (Posch et al., 2023). The researchers stress that “these factors are at least partly modifiable and should be taken into consideration for preventive strategies.”

Additionally, it’s reassuring to note another finding: “ski-geometric parameters and injury severity do not significantly differ between ACL injury mechanisms in recreational skiing” (Posch et al., 2021).

Finally, for those who have already suffered an ACL injury, it’s crucial to be aware of the long-term outlook. Research reveals that “the odds of ACL-injured professional alpine ski racers to suffer secondary ACL tears are nearly 50%, with contralateral injuries being more common than graft failures” (Csapo et al., 2020). This underlines the importance of ongoing rehabilitation and careful return-to-sport planning.

Conclusion and Responsible Advice

In summary, knee braces play a supporting role but cannot fully prevent ACL injuries. True injury prevention relies on good physical preparation, technique, awareness of risk factors, and expert guidance.

Skiers should trust scientific evidence and seek advice from qualified healthcare professionals rather than relying on equipment alone or unverified claims. Individualised care is vital to staying safe on the slopes and enjoying skiing for years to come.

For tailored medical advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

References

• Posch, M., Ruedl, G., Greier, K., Faulhaber, M., Tecklenburg, K., Schranz, A., & Burtscher, M. (2021). Ski‐geometric parameters do not differ between ACL injury mechanisms in recreational alpine skiing. Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy, 30(6), 2141-2148. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-021-06852-w
• Posch, M., Ruedl, G., Greier, K., Faulhaber, M., Tecklenburg, K., Schranz, A., Schliernzauer, B., & Burtscher, M. (2023). Impact of environmental factors on the ACL injury risk in recreational alpine skiing. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 44(13), 1003-1008. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2134-3908
• Csapo, R., Runer, A., Hoser, C., & Fink, C. (2020). Contralateral ACL tears strongly contribute to high rates of secondary ACL injuries in professional ski racers. Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy, 29(6), 1805-1812. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-020-06234-8