Winter is a time for outdoor sports, snow, and cold temperatures. But with all that comes the risk of winter injuries. From falls to frostbite, it’s important to know the most common winter injuries and how to avoid them. However, as much as we may try to prevent them, injuries happen. And when they do, AFC Urgent Care Castle Rock has you covered.

Our team of medical providers can treat a number of acute injuries on a walk-in basis, meaning you never need to wait long hours to be treated by professionals. For any non-life threatening injury, visit the walk-in clinic anytime you need care.

What are common injuries during the winter?

One of the most common winter injuries is slips, trips, and falls. With icy roads and sidewalks, the risk of falls increases, especially for those who are elderly or commonly exercise outside. To avoid slipping, consider wearing non-slip shoes and boots with good treads. You should also walk slowly and be mindful of where you are stepping when walking or jogging outside in the cold.

Another common winter injury is frostbite, which is caused by exposure to cold temperatures. Frostbite can be potentially severe if not treated quickly. When exposed to cold temperatures for too long, your skin can become red and numb. To prevent frostbite, make sure to wear several layers of warm clothing and avoid spending too much time in freezing temperatures.

In addition to slips and frostbite, there is also a greater risk of back injuries in the winter. When shoveling snow or ice skating, it’s easy to overwork your back muscles which can lead to back injuries. To avoid this, it is important to properly stretch and warm up your body before any winter activity. Additionally, use proper form and wear the appropriate equipment when participating in high-risk sports, like skiing or snowboarding.

How to prevent getting hurt in the winter

To best prevent any accidental injuries this winter, it’s important to take extra caution and care when you’re outside. Whether you’re simply spending prolonged time in cold temperatures, or you’re planning for a trip to the mountains, there are some strategies you can follow to better set yourself up against getting hurt. As previously mentioned, you should always wear the appropriate clothing when spending time outside in lower temps.

Another important tip is to check the forecast of the day before any outside activity. In addition to temperature, high winds can impede your health and safety. In severe weather, you are more susceptible to hypothermia and frostbite. Hypothermia triggers a low body temperature that can occur when your body is exposed to dangerously cold temperatures. When participating in an active movement, like shoveling or exercising outside, it’s more important than ever to monitor the overall condition of the weather in order to best prevent any unwanted injuries or illnesses.

Visit AFC Urgent Care Castle Rock for Acute Injury Treatment

Injuries happen, and when they do AFC Castle Rock is there. Our team of medical providers can appropriately address acute and sudden injuries for all patients. Sudden injury treatment is easy, affordable, and accessible at our walk-in clinic.

Just a few of the injuries we can treat include:

• Lacerations
• Sprains
• Mild bone breaks
• Cuts
• Scrapes
• Bruises

For more information about the types of acute injuries we treat, please contact our center directly at (303) 660-9700