Pain Tips for Winter Related Injuries
Unfortunately, the cold and icy winter weather brings with it an increased risk for seasonal complications such as falls, arthritis, frostbite, and sickness. If you are looking for an orthopedist in Massapequa that can help treat these winter-related ailments, make sure to visit our team over at Massapequa Pain Management & Rehabilitation. We specialize in the treatment of various back and musculoskeletal injury. Continue reading this article for detailed information on certain variations of health complications that can occur during the winter. Also, prevention tips and methods will also be provided.
Most Common Orthopedic Injuries During the Winter
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- “Colles Fracture” – This involves a fracture of the distal radius near the wrist of the hand. Fractures such as this often occur as a result of falling on ice and planting yourself with an outstretched hand. They can be stimulated by accidents from snowboarding, skiing, and other winter sports. Usually, they can be treated by splinting the wrist in a cast, but they must receive an initial evaluation by an orthopedic surgeon for possible surgery. Typically, an ideal way to prevent these types of falls is to always walk with a companion and to keep driveways and walkways free of ice.
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- Metatarsal Stress Fracture – This is a type of stress fracture that occurs in the feet. Often, it’s due to increased work associated with walking in snow, shoveling for long hours, and skiing or hiking outside. Imaging techniques such as x-rays are utilized by your orthopedist in Massapequa for further evaluation. For prevention help from these types of injuries, consider taking breaks between long hours of shoveling and to wear properly fitting snowshoes.
- Ankle Fracture – Regrettably, broken ankles are very common during the winter time due to spontaneous slips on ice and irregular twisting of the ankle. Injuries of this severity can be substantially painful and will likely require copious amounts of time to heal correctly.
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Common Symptoms
In most cases, moderate to severe discomfort is the most common symptom of winter-related injuries. Thankfully, there exist specific tools you can use to help alleviate injuries due to sprains, strains, and broken bones. Also, the winter time may precipitate degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis in the hips, knees, and joints. Below are helpful pain management tools to keep in mind this winter, and if you are looking for an orthopedist in Massapequa, contact us to make your appointment today.
Pain Management Tools During the Winter
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- Water aerobics – An unconventional method, but water aerobics are an outstanding method for decreasing stiffness and loosening the joints in the body. Techniques such as these help to increase your comfort levels when exposed to the cold weather.
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- Stay away from the flask – Alcohol dilates the peripheral vasculature, causing loss of heat to the core of the body.
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- Take breaks from shoveling snow – Constant shoveling leads to back strain and other bodily detriments. Shoveling is inevitable for some, but understand your bodies’ limits and remember to take breaks to avoid overdoing it.
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- Keep your Vitamin D level up – Vitamin D not only augments immunity from infection, but it can also help aid the recovery process from injury. Vitamins may not instantaneously cure your pain, but they can help restore calcium levels and develop strength for your bones.
- Try heat therapy – heat therapy involves the use of saunas, wraps, and heating pads to help improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and decrease pain. Easily done at home, you can warm up a heating pad and apply it to your aching muscle for 10-15 minutes at a time. This will help alleviate any swelling in the area as well.
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Contact
Do not hesitate to contact us at Massapequa Pain Management & Rehabilitation for all your orthopedic pain management needs. If you’re in need of an orthopedist in Massapequa, we offer effective services such as physical medicine, pain management, orthopedic and spinal surgery, and chiropractic care. Contact us to reserve your appointment today!
