Preventive Measures Against Winter Injuries

Don't Let Winter Be a Nightmare! With winter comes rain, snow, ice and freezing cold, and emergency departments have seen an increase in injury and fracture complaints. It is possible to avoid winter injuries that can be fatal through simple precautions such as protecting the head, dressing warmly to keep muscles warm, and walking with proper footwear. Maltepe University Orthopedics and Traumatology Specialist Prof. Dr. Ender Ugutmen provided information on measures to take against fall-related injuries during winter months and what should be done after an injury occurs. Prof. Dr. Ugutmen noted that there has been an increase in fractures and dislocations caused by falls due to recent snow and icing, and stated that the first precaution that can be taken in winter injuries should be aimed at enabling muscles to move easily. Prof. Dr. Ugutmen expressed himself as follows: "For the muscle mass related to contraction in muscles and tendons to contract sufficiently and move, two basic things are needed; one is to be in warm clothing, the other is to consume glycogen. Particularly in cold weather, due to rapid movement, the glycogen amount in the muscle mass is lost as the glycogen stores are depleted. Muscle and tendon tears, ruptures and quick fatigue due to insufficient glycogen, and falls due to fatigue can occur. Therefore, in cold weather, it is necessary to dress well to prevent body temperature from dropping and to consume sufficient glycogen. Glycogen can be especially obtained from foods such as pasta, rice and potatoes." he said.

Choose the Right Footwear!

Prof. Dr. Ugutmen, noting that they encounter falls resulting from slips caused by wearing inappropriate footwear, particularly on rainy days, drew attention to choosing the right footwear: "The functionality of the shoe is very important. Suede shoes should especially not be worn. Shoes with dense ground contact that grip the ground and have rubber soles should be worn. Because these are shoes that adhere to the ground, ice and snow and do not let go of the foot. Suede shoes slip very easily. We do not recommend pointed-toe and high-heeled shoes whether there is snow or rain or not, because they cause fatigue, skeletal problems and muscle fatigue. We recommend shoes with cushioned heels that do not squeeze the front of the foot, with a heel height of 2.5-3 cm."

Helmets are Essential for Children!

Prof. Dr. Ugutmen also addressed warnings to parents regarding the prevention of injuries seen in children during this season: "There must always be an adult with children. In people engaged in high-energy sports, head and neck protection is essential. Particularly on slippery ground days, children must wear a protective helmet for the head. Gloves should be worn to grip with the hands. If nutrition is insufficient, fatigue occurs due to depletion of muscle stores. Fatigue always invites injuries."

Take Precautions Against Risks in Skiing!

Prof. Dr. Ugutmen noted that the most common winter injuries occur while skiing, and said, "There are also injuries resulting from collisions. Due to both crowded slopes and the presence of both experienced and inexperienced skiers on the same slope, collisions are very frequent and neck trauma, chest trauma, rib fractures, skin cuts and crushing injuries in the arms are commonly seen." Dr. Ugutmen continued: "Skiing is one of the sports with the highest injury risk. Knowing how to ski correctly is very important. One must take lessons before starting this sport. Second, appropriate slopes should be selected. Third, correct equipment should be selected, that is, properly painted skis and correctly fitted ski boots should be used. Boots that are bound with correct looseness or tightness are needed. Snow goggles must always be used because your vision can become impaired after a while."

First Aid is Important

Prof. Dr. Ugutmen, drawing attention to the importance of first aid in frequently occurring knee, cruciate ligament or meniscus injuries, listed what should be done as follows: "Cold applications and elastic bandaging to the knee are the first things that must be done. Subsequently, long knee braces that keep the knee immobilized and crutches are quite helpful for the patient to walk without assistance. In cases with no significant pain and swelling, ice can be applied and activity can be paused for a few days. In cases of more extensive swelling and pain, a health facility should be visited immediately. In cases of serious intra-articular bleeding, the intra-articular bleeding must be removed by a doctor especially after 24 hours. In this way, the knee recovers more quickly and the cartilage in the joint remains unaffected." Prof. Dr. Ugutmen, cautioning that untreated knee injuries can lead to significant problems, stated, "In the long term, calcifications can develop due to ligament deficiency in the knee. When anterior cruciate ligament tear is neglected, it can cause tears in the previously uninjured meniscus over time, or a meniscus tear caused by injury can lead to cartilage damage over time."