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With basketball, wrestling, and other indoor sports on hold, people will seek outdoor adventures this winter. And with more outside activities, there are bound to be more winter-sports related injuries.<\/p>\n
No matter how you choose to get outside and enjoy the fresh air, take a few precautions, and stay safer as you enjoy Wisconsin\u2019s wintery weather.<\/p>\n
Check the Conditions<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Whether you are venturing to wooded cross-country ski trails or you\u2019re snowshoeing across a frozen lake, check the conditions. Don\u2019t get caught in severe weather or break through the ice.<\/p>\n Stay Warm<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Dress in layers. And dress for the weather. Make sure the clothing next to your skin wicks moisture away. Dressing in layers will help you regulate your temperature, so you don\u2019t get sweaty and catch a chill.<\/p>\n Know Where You\u2019re Going<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 If you\u2019re snowshoeing or cross-country skiing in an unfamiliar place, ask someone who knows the area about pitfalls and signs along the trail.<\/p>\n Share your plans with your friends and family members. Let people know where you\u2019re going; when you\u2019ll be there; and when you\u2019ll be back. Check-in at key points to let people know you\u2019re alright.<\/p>\n Use the Buddy System<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Being active is more fun with a friend. Ask someone to join you on a snowshoe hike, cross-country ski trip, or snowboarding adventure.<\/p>\n Use Protective Gear<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Wear helmets, elbow pads, knee pads, and other gear suitable for your activity to help prevent injury this winter.<\/p>\n Take Frequent Breaks and Stop When You\u2019re Tired<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 It\u2019s a fact. Injuries happen when muscles are tired. Take frequent breaks to conserve your energy.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re having second thoughts about that last trip down the hill, it might be a good idea to call it quits for the day. Overtaxed muscles may give out at the worse possible moment, causing strains, sprains, dislocations, and broken bones. Any of these injuries can take you off the slopes and trails for the rest of the year.<\/p>\n Many winter sports involve speed. Even the non-motorized sports like downhill and cross-country skiing, sledding, ice skating, tubing, or snowshoeing can result in a severe injury like concussion when speed combines with the loss of control.<\/p>\n Taking a few precautions this winter can help you stay safer and avoid some of the most common winter-related sports injuries, like those below.<\/p>\n Sprains, strains, and tears<\/strong> Sprains<\/em>\u00a0occur when the ligaments and tendons connecting bone to bone or muscle to bone are stretched beyond their normal limits.<\/p>\n Strains<\/em>\u00a0occur when muscles are pulled beyond their normal range of motion.<\/p>\n Sprains and strains can happen to any joint, but ankles are particularly susceptible. The ankle is a complex joint; not only can it move up and down, but it can also move side-to-side, making it more prone to rolling injuries. One misstep can twist the ankle in the wrong direction stretching the ligaments and tendons holding the ankle bones in place. Torn ligaments in the front of the knee (Anterior cruciate ligament or ACL), the back of the knee (posterior cruciate ligament or PCL), or in the meniscus cartilage of the knee often require surgical repair.<\/p>\n Dislocations<\/strong> Once a person experiences a dislocated joint, the risk of future dislocations in that same joint increase.<\/p>\n Falling at odd angles or high speeds cause dislocations. Shoulder joints are most susceptible. This joint is the most flexible and the least stable.<\/p>\n But all joints are at risk. A direct hit during a fall can shove the bones in the elbows and knees out of place. Even hips, the strongest of all joints, can be dislocated. A hard hit from the side or a fall on an outstretched leg can force the leg bones out of the hip socket.<\/p>\n Whether you\u2019ve dislocated your finger or your hip, it\u2019s important to seek medical attention to make sure the bones are moved properly back in place. An orthopedic specialist can also assess the damage to the ligaments, tendons, and other soft tissues surrounding the joint. Sometimes surgery is needed to repair rips and tears in the connecting tissues.<\/p>\n Broken joints and broken bones<\/strong><\/p>\n Can you really break a joint? Yes!<\/p>\n With enough force, a break can happen close to the joint, causing intense pain. When breaks happen, it\u2019s important to work with an orthopedic specialist as soon as possible. These specialists can help minimize the loss of mobility.<\/p>\n According to the National Institutes of Health, a rise in the number of ankle fractures occurring while snowboarding has led to a diagnosis of \u201csnowboarders\u2019 ankle.\u201d The condition describes the fracture of the talus and is often overlooked, which can lead to a loss of movement later in life.<\/p>\n Skier\u2019s thumb<\/strong> Back and Spine Injuries<\/strong> No matter how an injury occurs, if it involves a bone, joint, or muscle, it\u2019s wise to see an orthopedic specialist for care if it involves a bone, joint, or muscle.<\/p>\n Orthopedic and sports medicine specialists know and understand body mechanics. They can make sure the first steps in your treatment will help you recover with the greatest range of motion and function possible.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" With basketball, wrestling, and other indoor sports on hold, people will seek outdoor adventures this winter. And with more outside activities, there are bound to be more winter-sports related injuries. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you hit the slopes, glide across the ice, or swoosh through the trails. No matter how you choose to get outside and enjoy the fresh air, take a few precautions, and stay safer as you […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[34],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-917","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-injury-prevention"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\nThe most common type of injury during winter sports activities are sprains and strains.<\/p>\n
\nBut ankles are not the only joints that suffer frequent injuries. Winter sports and icy falls also can take a toll on the knees.<\/p>\n
\nFrom hands to hips, all joints can be dislocated. Dislocations are extremely painful and need immediate and specialized orthopedic medical treatment to avoid long-term loss of movement.<\/p>\n
\nPeople who use poles when they walk or ski are more susceptible to skier\u2019s thumb during a fall. Skier\u2019s thumb, also called gamekeeper\u2019s thumb, occurs when the thumb bends beyond its normal range of motion, stretching or tearing the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) that keeps the thumb in place. A severe bend can also break bones in the thumb and the wrist. Since the thumb is critical to many hand movements, it\u2019s important to see an orthopedic specialist right away to preserve function.<\/p>\n
\nOf course, we would be remiss if we didn\u2019t mention back injuries. Whether you trip while walking on the sidewalk or collide with someone or something while skiing down the slopes, you can experience a severe back injury. These injuries can cause mild discomfort or be severe, life-limiting, and lead to paralysis.<\/p>\n