Does a past injury have you scared to hit the slopes again? Are you continually
avoiding outings with friends because you're afraid you’ll wind
up twisting your knee? Though winter sports might come with a bit of caution,
there are some steps anyone can take to make sure they can enjoy some
winter fun, without leaving in pain. So before you hit the ice or slopes,
keep these tips in mind:
Fall With Ease
With practice, most
winter sports will only lead to an occasional slip and fall, but they can still occur.
When one does occur, the best way to ensure that it doesn't result
in an injury is to make sure you are trained to react fast and protect
yourself. One way to do this is through lessons. A skiing or skating instructor
will show you how to brace yourself to avoid impact on your joints.
Avoid Overuse Injuries
Repetitive motion, in general, can put a lot of stress on your joints,
add inconsistent action that comes with some winter sports like skiing
or hunting, and you could be left with an overuse injury. Working out
regularly can help strengthen your muscles and loosen your joints, making
them more adaptable to the activities ahead. If you do find consistent
pain with a particular task, it’s essential to listen to your body and
stop the action.
Layer Up
Wearing layers is important in preventing you from windburn and frostbite;
however, they must be flexible enough to allow you to do the activity
at hand. Restrictive clothing can leave you with a limited range of motion,
leading to injury. Don’t forget to wear a proper fitting helmet
and the right footwear, too.
Listen to Your Body
Understanding your restrictions and not pushing past your experience level
or limits is one of the best ways to prevent yourself from injury. For
instance, you don’t want to spend your first-day skiing on the biggest
slope. Work your way up in activity levels and listen to your body when
it comes to
pain and fatigue.
With the proper safety measures, you can enjoy your favorite winter activities
pain-free. If you find yourself indoors due to pain,
Powder River Orthopedics & Spine (PROS) is here to help in Gillette, Wyoming. We can evaluate your options
so you can rest assured that you get the best possible outcome and are
back to a happy and active life in no time.
Call the PROS at 307.686.1413 or visit
www.cchwyo.org/PROS to learn more.