LiveSmart: Prepare, Take Care to Avoid Winter Sports Injuries

[Written by Kristin M. Seaburg, PT, DPT, ATC, Executive Director, Patient Therapy Services, Sunnyview/St. Peter’s Rehabilitation Services.]

If you are a sports or exercise enthusiast and you like the cold and the snow, this is your time of year! Whether you’re hitting the slopes, sledding with the kids, riding snowmobiles, or ice skating at the plaza, winter sports are in full gear.

But, while engaging in these activities is a terrific way to stay healthy and enjoy time with friends and family, sometimes that fun comes with the occasional mishap or injury.

According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the most common winter sports injuries include dislocated shoulders or elbows, broken bones, skier’s thumb, knee injuries, and ankle sprains. Many of these injuries can be prevented by following this advice:

• Take lessons in a sport from a qualified instructor, especially skiing or snowboarding.
• Warm up before playing. Cold muscles, tendons, and ligaments are vulnerable to injury.
• Check that your equipment is working properly.
• Do not venture out when visibility and traction are severely limited by snow and ice.
• Stay alert to the people around you to avoid collisions.
• Learn how to fall correctly and safely to reduce the risk of injury.
• If you are tired or feel pain, stop the activity.
• An hour is sufficient for a winter workout unless you are a seasoned veteran in cold weather activities.

If you have experienced a sports injury, you may need physical rehabilitation to help relieve pain and return safely to the activity you love. Whether you have tweaked a knee, are recovering from surgery, or need to learn new ways of doing daily tasks, consider us your experts in physical rehabilitation.

Outpatient rehabilitation services from Sunnyview/St. Peter’s Health Partners help you move through life on your terms. We are one of the Capital Region’s most trusted programs, with a broad range of services that relieve symptoms and help you make the most of your abilities.

Our knowledgeable licensed therapists take time to get to know you and personalize your care to help you achieve your goals. From a minor sports injury to recovery from a severe medical condition, we are here for you.

We offer a full range of outpatient physical and occupational therapies at locations throughout the Capital Region.

For more information and locations, visit us at https://www.sphp.com/physical-rehabilitation/.