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Preventing summer injuries: Local physical therapist Della Crone will teach women how to prevent common summer sports injuries Wednesday

Lu Snyder

DILLON – Injuries can put a damper on anyone’s sport season, but with the right stretching and strengthening exercises, many of them can be prevented.

Della Crone, manager of Avalanche Physical Therapy’s Silverthorne office, will lead a workshop Wednesday on sports injury prevention. The workshop is one of a series of women’s workshops co-hosted by the Summit County Women’s Center and Borders Books Cafe in Dillon.

Crone, who has worked as a physical therapist for 15 years, will focus primarily on injuries affecting the back, knee and shoulder areas and those resulting from summer sports, such as hiking, biking, softball and golf.



For example, warming up before a softball game can help players avoid some of the hamstring and quadricep pulls common with the sport, Crone said. Hiking often causes knee problems that can be avoided with strengthening and balance exercises. And a strong and flexible back is key to a successful golf season.

But stretches and strengthening exercises aren’t the only means of preventing injury – equipment, too, can make a difference. Crone said she will review the importance of riding a well-fit bike and wearing protective gear such as helmets, kneepads and wrist braces. She also will cover basic first aid, using heat or ice with injuries and when to see a doctor.



Unfortunately, women can be prone to some injuries simply because of the way they’re built. Crone said she sees more female patients with shoulder injuries, which is probably because many women have less shoulder muscle stability than men. Women also are more likely to suffer from ankle sprains and kneecap injuries because they tend to have looser ligaments. And women’s wider hips mean more angle from the pelvis to the knee, which can increase the chance of knee injuries – particularly from running or jumping sports.

Crone’s injury-prevention workshop is geared for athletes of all levels and is sponsored by Avalanche Physical Therapy and Target.

Women’s Workshop

– What: Sports Injury Prevention

– When: 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 21

– Where: Borders Books Cafe in Dillon

– Borders Books provides refreshments for workshop attendees and storytelling and activities for their young children

– For more information, contact Terri Tobey at (970) 389-1502


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