One second you’re walking to your mailbox to get the mail, the next you’re lying on your back, howling in pain because you hurt your ankle. Every winter I am inundated with patients who are experiencing pain in their foot or ankle because of a fall.
Situations like the above scenario are not limited to Minnesotans, so in hopes of keeping people upright, the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons recently published some tips to avoid nasty falls this winter. We’ll look at their list and provide some of our own words of wisdom.
1. Wear appropriate footwear – Thinking about dashing through the snow in heels? Think again. The higher the heel, the less support you’ll have when walking over ice and snow. Stick to low-heeled shoes or boots, and make sure the bottom has good traction.
2. Be alert – Always watch where you’re going when walking on ice and snow. Black ice can be tough to see, but if you keep an eye on your path you’ll avoid ice that would cause a non-attentive person to slip. You don’t need to walk with your head down at all times, but use your peripheral vision to your advantage.
3. Take it slow – A lot of times I hear stories of patients who get injured because they tried to jog or run on ice. You might think it’s a bad idea to go for a run outside when the weather is nasty, and I’d be inclined to agree with you, but many times these types of injuries occur when someone makes a short, quick movement. Maybe they burst into a half-jog to get to the bus, to get across the street quicker, or as they approach the office doors. This can also be dangerous because as you move faster, you’re less likely to catch yourself if you begin to slip. Take it slow until you reach your destination.
4. Don’t just “walk it off” – If you do suffer a fall, don’t just carry on with your business. Odds are some part of your body is in pain, so try to get to a warm place where you can rest. Putting weight on an injury can make the problem worse. If you know you suffered a sprain or a break, head to your friendly foot and ankle doctor so he can assess the damage.
5. Be careful indoors – Many people don’t realize falls can still occur once you’re back indoors. If you work a large building or are in another area of large traffic like a school, odds are there will be some puddles near the entrance. If you have tile or hardwood floor at your house, any snow on the bottom of your shoe can become hazardous as it melts. Even if you’re doing something as simple as taking the groceries into the kitchen, take off your shoes before dropping off the bags. Taking a couple extra seconds to put your shoes back on to grab more bags from the car is much less painstaking than walking around in a cast for months.
Related source: ACFAS
