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Common Winter Injuries

Common Winter Injuries

The colder months of winter bring us fun, snow, and endless seasonal activities. But with all the unpredictable weather and the bitter cold, come unexpected winter injuries.

Wintertime risks can typically be avoided but the first step is to educate yourself as the temperature drops. The physicians at OrthoNC have put together the tips below to ensure you stay safe and healthy this winter.

While winter means fun, games, and the hope of canceled school days, it also means serious complications and risks for people of all walks of life. The cold, snow, and ice of the season bring a myriad of common winter injuries to be cognizant of.

But being informed and prepared is half the battle. For those who want to learn more about common winter injuries, winter injury prevention tips, and effective treatments for these injuries, read on to learn how to prevent to the prevalent risks and common injuries of the winter season.

Common Winter Injuries: Risks, Prevention, and Treatments

Slick, ice-covered sidewalks, driveways, and stairs make people of all ages more vulnerable to slips and fall injuries during wintertime, but the more fragile makeup of seniors’ skeletal and muscular systems make these common winter injuries much more serious for seniors.

Below are three of the most common winter injuries for seniors:

  • Bone injuries from slipping on snow and ice; these injuries may include broken wrists, arms, or hips. They can also include head trauma.

  • Back and spinal injuries from snow removal and falls.

  • Driving accidents; icy conditions make car accidents more common for all age groups during the winter months, and seniors are particularly affected by reduced visibility when driving in winter storms.

To reduce the risk of these injuries, you can:

  • Wear shoes with solid grip and traction and make sure walkways are cleared of ice before going outside.

  • Dress in layers and properly program your thermostat.

  • Make sure to have a good set of tires on your care, check weather conditions before driving, and always keep first aid supplies and warm clothes/blankets in your vehicle.

And as a general rule of thumb, if you don’t have to make a trip outside during inclement weather that can cause these injuries, stay inside.

Winter should be a wonderful time of year, but these common winter injuries can compromise your season and, more importantly, your health. The one thing certain to ruin your season is an injury, so take your time this winter and holiday season and exhibit extra caution. If you or a loved one has experienced an injury and would like to seek out treatment, schedule an appointment with us here or contact us at (919) 562-9410.