Winter Sport Injuries

For many athletes and weekend exercise warriors, winter is a time to enhance their cardiovascular health. Many partake in winter sports such as sledding, skiing, snowboarding, rough-and-tumble ice hockey, or casual ice skating. Winter sports offer a fast track for fun, but expose the body to injuries, especially foot and ankle injuries.

Some common winter and snow sports injuries related to the foot and ankle include:

• Frostbite – The symptoms of frostbite include skin-color changes, from blue to whitish, and a feeling of burning or numbness;
• Blisters – Friction in winter sports footwear often causes blisters;
• Neuromas – Enlarged benign growths of nerves between the toes are caused by friction in tight footwear and can result in pain, burning, tingling, or numbness. Neuromas require professional treatment, including an evaluation of skates and boots, from a podiatric physician;
• Sprains and strains – The stress of skiing and skating can result in sprains and strains of the foot and ankle. They can be treated with rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). If pain persists, seek medical attention from a podiatric physician; and
• Subungual hematoma – Pressure in the toe box of a ski or skate can cause bleeding under the toenail known as a subungual hematoma. This condition should be treated by a podiatric physician to prevent the loss of a toenail.

Podiatric physicians recommend properly fitted shoes or boots to prevent winter and snow injuries. With adequate preparation and proper equipment, you can prevent most injuries common to winter and snow sports.

• Maintain an adequate fitness level all year round. Being fit is the best way to avoid many sports-related injuries in winter.
• Find a buddy who enjoys your sport. Never participate in winter sports alone.
• Warm up thoroughly before activity. Cold muscles, tendons, and ligaments are vulnerable to injury. Make sure to cool down thoroughly afterwards, as well.
• Wear several layers of light, loose, water and-wind-resistant clothing for warmth and protection.
• Wear proper footwear that is in good condition and keeps feet warm and dry. Footwear should provide ample ankle support, as well.
• Wear appropriate protective gear, including goggles, helmets, gloves, and padding.
• Wear a blended sock that “wicks” sweat away from the skin. Consult your podiatric physician for recommendations.
• Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your sports activity.
• Move to a warm, dry environment if your feet get wet. The skin tissues of wet, cold feet are in danger of freezing (frostbite).

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Podiatrists in CT

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Get Active With Winter Sports

Skiing at a resort or gliding across an indoor ice rink make for great winter recreation. Use caution in winter sports though so you can finish the day with hot cocoa instead of a cast and crutches. Beginning ice skaters experience a lot of falls. When that happens, tendons can sprain or tear. Even experienced skaters can fracture an ankle.
Downhill skiers, cross-country skiers, and snowboarders also risk injuries to their feet and ankles, including sprains, fractures, and dislocations.
If you do get injured, let our office check it out. It may be a sprain or a fracture, and it's important to get medical treatment promptly for both conditions. An ankle sprain could lead to chronic ankle instability if left untreated. If it's a fracture, you don't want the bones to start healing if they aren't aligned properly.
If an x-ray shows you don't have a fracture, you may still have stretched a tendon or injured a joint. These may worsen without proper treatment and could cause arthritis, tissue damage, and problems with foot alignment. We can help you head off these complications.
Follow these tips to prevent injuries:

• Make sure skates, ski boots, or snowboard boots fit properly. Lace up ice skates tightly enough to give your ankles proper support.
• If you haven't engaged in a sport since last winter, start two weeks ahead of time doing specific exercises to condition the muscles used in that sport. You can find conditioning and warm-up exercises by doing an internet search. 

Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Podiatrists in CT
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