Orthopedic Tips for Winter Activities

Does a past injury have you scared to hit the slopes again? Are you continually avoiding outings with friends because you're afraid you’ll wind up twisting your knee? Though winter sports might come with a bit of caution, there are some steps anyone can take to make sure they can enjoy some winter fun, without leaving in pain. So before you hit the ice or slopes, keep these tips in mind:

Fall With Ease

With practice, most winter sports will only lead to an occasional slip and fall, but they can still occur. When one does occur, the best way to ensure that it doesn't result in an injury is to make sure you are trained to react fast and protect yourself. One way to do this is through lessons. A skiing or skating instructor will show you how to brace yourself to avoid impact on your joints.

Avoid Overuse Injuries

Repetitive motion, in general, can put a lot of stress on your joints, add inconsistent action that comes with some winter sports like skiing or hunting, and you could be left with an overuse injury. Working out regularly can help strengthen your muscles and loosen your joints, making them more adaptable to the activities ahead. If you do find consistent pain with a particular task, it’s essential to listen to your body and stop the action.

Layer Up

Wearing layers is important in preventing you from windburn and frostbite; however, they must be flexible enough to allow you to do the activity at hand. Restrictive clothing can leave you with a limited range of motion, leading to injury. Don’t forget to wear a proper fitting helmet and the right footwear, too.

Listen to Your Body

Understanding your restrictions and not pushing past your experience level or limits is one of the best ways to prevent yourself from injury. For instance, you don’t want to spend your first-day skiing on the biggest slope. Work your way up in activity levels and listen to your body when it comes to pain and fatigue.

With the proper safety measures, you can enjoy your favorite winter activities pain-free. If you find yourself indoors due to pain, Wyoming Orthopedics & Spine (WYOS) is here to help in Gillette, Wyoming. We can evaluate your options so you can rest assured that you get the best possible outcome and are back to a happy and active life in no time.

Call WYOS at 307.686.1413 or visit www.wyomingorthospine.com to learn more.