Important winter injury prevention tips

Winter sports and games can be tons of fun. However, they can also give way to slips, falls, and in some of the worst cases, hand injury treatment for a nasty spill on the ice. As any hockey player or sports injury doctor will tell you, ice and snow can be a pretty lethal combination for those of us who don’t have the best balance. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the brisk cold weather and fun of the outdoors during winter without limping to the best orthopedic doctors in Sioux Falls SD. All it takes is a bit of extra awareness and a lot of protective gear. Here are few things you can do to stay safe this winter.

Engage With Others
Even if you’re raring to hit the ice in the morning, don’t go it alone. While doing a few exercises on your own can be a great way to get ready for the day, when it comes to more sustained physical activity, you always want to be around others in case of an accident or a fall. If you’re engaging in a team sport like ice hockey, you’ll want to have some kind of protocol set up in case someone gets injured. Wear protective headgear and braces to help your joints stay insulated outdoors.

Wear Layers
Putting on a ton of layers to go out into the snow isn’t just about staying warm. You want to make sure your body is well protected, too. Don’t just wear a sweater and a coat. Bundle up from head to toe and make sure every part of you is covered. That means wearing thick socks, shoes that will protect you from water and ice seeping in, and a lot of head protection. Thick scarves and hats will keep your entire body warm while protecting you from getting a head injury on the ice.

Don’t Overdo It
As with any contact sport or period of physical activity, you always want to know what your limits are and to be well aware of them at all times. If you feel tired or dizzy, stop what you’re doing. If you keep pushing yourself when you’re overtired or under-hydrated, your body will weaken and leave you more vulnerable to injury. Don’t risk hurting yourself even if you want to push yourself to the limit.

Always Wear Head Protection
No matter what you’re doing, you always want to keep your head well protected. That doesn’t just mean wearing a warm winter hat. If you’re doing any kind of sport or playing a game, you want to wear the right protective headgear that will protect your from a nasty concussion due to a slip and fall on the ice. You don’t have to be physically active to injure yourself during winter, either. Often we can’t see the more dangerous types of ice, such as black ice, after a fresh snowfall, so it’s always a good idea to stay careful and prepared even if you’re just walking around the block.