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Staying Safe During Winter Outdoor Activities

Once there’s a fresh dusting of snow on the ground and temperatures drop, winter sports enthusiasts prepare to get their game faces on. However, before you grab your snowboard or skates, it’s important to protect your body from injury. 

Winter Sports Injuries

While it may seem very rare that someone sustains a serious injury on the slopes, there were 88,000 skiing injuries reported in the U.S. in 2015. From broken bones and fractures to head injuries, winter sports can be dangerous without the proper clothing and safety precautions.

Winter Injury Prevention Tips

There is no way to completely rule out the risks associated with winter sports, but by utilizing these four precautions, you can minimize your risk of injury significantly.

1. Always Wear Protective Gear

From ice hockey to snowboarding, it’s critical that you always wear these recommended safety gear items, depending on the activity:

• Goggles
• Fitted boots
• Padding
• A helmet (recommend for all winter sports)

2. Inspect Your Equipment Before Use

Any small defects in your equipment can cause an accident. Whether you’re renting your board or taking your skates out of the garage for the winter, be sure to give your gear a quick check.

3. Warm-Up 

This step is important to protect your muscles and joints. When our ligaments are cold, they become stiff, are less flexible, and are more prone to injury. Warming up your body by stretching can help reduce your chances of a tear or strain.

4. Fall Properly

While we hope you never fall during a winter sport — we know that this isn’t the case. If your balance is lost during a downhill sport such as skiing, falling the right way can help you minimize injury. It’s best to fall on your side and to not brace yourself with your arms. Above all, be sure to protect your head from injury.

Sports Medicine Specialists in Fairfield CT

If you suffer an injury during a winter sport, know that our experienced sports medicine team here at Orthopaedic Speciality Group specializes in providing comprehensive sports medicine services including the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries. 
Regardless of the level of the athlete (recreational, high school, college, even professional), Orthopaedic Specialty Group strives to provide the highest quality, state-of-the-art health care services. Contact our team today to schedule an appointment.