Winter Injury Prevention Tips

Kansas City has been known to freeze and send snow and ice. With a few simple safety precautions, many painful winter injuries can be avoided. Protect yourself with these injury prevention tips:

• Wear proper footwear made for icy and snowy conditions.
• Keep your stride shorter and avoid long steps.
• Take your time and don’t hurry. Don’t go out if you don’t have to.
• Thoroughly and regularly salt driveways and stairs.
• Wipe your feet when entering a building. Warn others if you see slippery floor areas so they don’t fall as well.
• Try pushing the snow instead of lifting or twisting to throw it over your shoulder.
• During slick conditions, the mail and newspaper can be left until there is warmer/safer conditions.

Winter sports bring on unique challenges for preventing injuries. Whether you’re a weekend skiier, an all-weather runner or picking up your regular outdoor winter sport, we want to see you to practice safely.  Our orthopedic surgeons and providers offer some best practices for winter sports and injury prevention:

• Keep in shape and strengthen your muscles before participating in winter activities.
• Warm up thoroughly before playing or participating. Cold muscles, tendons and ligaments are vulnerable to injury.
• Wear appropriate protective gear, including goggles, helmets, gloves and padding.
• Drink plenty of water and avoid participating in sports when you are in pain or overly tired.

Preventing winter injuries is possible, and you can enjoy the season without unnecessary pain and stiffness.