Wintertime is a time filled with fun activities, cold weather, and, unfortunately, some unique injuries. Winter conditions lead to injuries that aren’t seen as often the rest of the year, and avoiding those injuries isn’t always easy. The first step to avoiding seasonal injuries is to know what you’re avoiding, so you’ve come to the right place! 

What are the Most Common Winter Injuries? 

Common winter injuries include:

• Falling on snow or ice – this can lead to broken bones, especially in elderly people. It may also just cause severe bruising and discomfort until the area heals. 
• Muscle strain – scraping ice off the car and shoveling the driveway is no small task. The force needed to remove the winter slush often leads to painful muscle strains. 
• Winter sports accidents – winter sports can lead to muscle strains, broken bones, abrasions, and more. 

Seasonal Injury Prevention 

Avoiding wintertime injuries isn’t easy, but it is possible. You’ll need to use extra caution and take your time as you move in the dangerous weather. To avoid falling on snow or ice, utilize ice melting salt pellets on your sidewalk and driveway. 

Try to keep the snow and ice clear, so you have a path from your home to your vehicle. Outside of your home, try to stay on cleared sidewalks and frequently busy parking lots that are more likely to be clean. 

Avoid straining while you shovel or scrape by taking your time and using the right shoveling form and techniques to avoid adding extra strain on your body. If you’re older or disabled, it may be a good idea to ask a neighbor or friend to help you shovel. The best way to avoid wintertime sports injuries is to wear the proper safety equipment. 

Injury Treatment

All non-emergent wintertime injuries should be treated at urgent care, not the emergency room. Emergency rooms are designed to handle life-threatening emergencies, and when people with less serious injuries come in, it slows down their ability to treat those who need it. Look online to get familiar with your nearest urgent care center and give them a call to make sure they accept your insurance! 

Visit your local urgent care for all of your wintertime injury treatment needs. If you avoid the injuries but suffer from a wintertime illness, urgent care can help with that too! Our goal at AFC Urgent Care Fairfield is to get you feeling better and back to the wintertime fun as soon as possible, so don’t delay getting treated!