12/3/2018
The snow and cold weather are here and, inevitably, individuals will make their way out of their homes this season to either enjoy the powder or to fight with it.
In either case, there are certain health risks that individuals can face when venturing out, from breaks and fractures to heart attacks and even frostbite or hypothermia.
Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Nilesh Patil, who works at Uniontown Hospital, said they can see an increase in injuries during the winter months, depending on the local demographics and the general health status of the patient population.
“The most common injuries during snow season range from simple sprains to fractures,” he said. “Wrist, ankle, hip and shoulder joints are commonly affected and patients with these types of injuries typically present with significant pain, swelling or deformity of the involved joint or extremity.
Most of the time, patients with these types of injuries often need an immediate clinical and radiographic evaluation, which could be done at an orthopedic clinic, urgent care or an emergency room.
“Management of these injuries may vary from splinting or casting to surgery based on severity and location of the injury,” Patil said.
These injuries can come from shoveling snow and slipping on ice to sled riding and skiing accidents.
And Patil said that anyone from the young to the elderly can find themselves sustaining injuries.
“It could occur in an elderly individual with poor balance or even in a young, healthy adult who fails to appreciate the risk associated with a brisk walk or a sudden turn on slippery surfaces,” he said.
When it comes to snow shoveling, the repeated practice can be associated with shoulder- and back-related problems and can range from just simple fatigue to rotator cuff tears, and sometimes even arthritis for patients who have been doing it for several years.
Patil said some safe practices for individuals to follow when shoveling snow include using a shovel that is lightweight and the proper length to minimize having to bend at the waist.
“Bend at the hips — not the lower back or waist — and push the chest out, pointing forward,” he said. “Then, bend your knees and lift with your thigh and hip muscles, keeping your back in an upright position,” Patil said.
Pushing the snow rather than lifting it or lifting lighter loads more often rather than heavier loads less often are also good practices.
“Take frequent breaks and allocate sufficient time for this activity after a heavy snowfall,” Patil added.
Falls from slippery conditions usually occur when there’s freezing rain or three to six days after a snowfall when the snow on the ground starts to melt.
Patil said improving the friction on ice by wearing appropriate shoes and boots with better outsoles, spreading sand over the ice and having the proper lighting conditions can lessen the chance of falling.
“Elderly patients should not walk outside in such conditions without a walking aid if they have one,” he said.
Lower extremity injuries ranging from ankle sprains, fractures to the ACL or knee ligament injuries are common among skiers and wrist, shoulder and collar bone injuries are frequent among snowboarders.
Patil said it’s important to do these activities on slopes and trails that are well maintained.
“The use of well-functioning and age-appropriate equipment such as boots, straps, boards and skis, is important,” he said, adding that wearing helmets and wrist and knee guards during these activities can help lessen serious injuries.
Other injuries that could occur when out in the cold and snow could include hypothermia or frostbite.
Dr. Christopher Dietz, area medical director at MedExpress, said there isn’t necessarily a specific amount of time or temperature when hypothermia and/or frostbite can occur.
“Hypothermia, which is when your core temperature drops below 95 degrees, is most likely at extremely cold temperatures, but it can occur at cool temperatures if a person is chilled from rain or sweat,” he said. “Low wind chills can also contribute to frostbite and hypothermia as wind drives heat away from exposed skin faster than calm air.”
Dietz added that frostbite can also set in more quickly based on a few other factors such as clothing and body composition.
“It’s very important to be mindful of what you’re wearing outdoors,” he said. “Make sure you dress appropriately and have any exposed skin covered up.”
Dietz said frostbite occurs when your skin and tissues start to freeze. It may lead to permanent damage, and often includes redness, pain or unusually firm, waxy or numb skin with a grayish-yellow pallor.
Hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature, occurs when you’re exposed to cold temperatures and your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced.
“Your body works hard to maintain a body temperature of around 98.6 degrees, so when it drops below that, your body is losing more heat than it’s making and goes into survival mode in order to save what little heat is left, leaving you with slow breathing, confusion and heavy fatigue,” Dietz said.
A good rule of thumb for dressing for the outdoors in frigid winter weather is that the layer closest to your skin should be a polypropylene or similar wicking material to draw sweat away from the body while keeping your skin dry.
Layer 2 should be an insulating layer of wool or a polar-fleece type material, followed by an outer layer of nylon or something similar that’ll help keep the wind out.
“Also, it’s not a bad idea to keep emergency kits in your car or home for winter emergencies,” Dietz said. “Warm clothing and blankets should be available in case of an emergency.”
Also, the risk of frostbite is increased in people with reduced blood circulation.
“So, if you know you have poor circulation, be especially mindful when spending time in the cold,” Dietz said. “It’s always a good idea to familiarize yourself with the symptoms of frostbite and hypothermia, and keep an eye on children at school bus stops or those who work outdoors for extended periods of time.”
If you think you might be suffering from frostbite, Dietz said there are some steps you can take, including getting indoors immediately.
“Remove any wet or damp clothing, if applicable, and move the numb or cold part of the body to increase blood supply,” he said, but added that you should not rub the impacted area, as it may cause tissue damage.
“Do not walk on frostbitten feet or toes as this can also increase damage,” Dietz said. “Drinking warm beverages — avoiding alcohol — can help increase body temperatures.”
He recommends seeking medical attention for frostbite if you notice blisters, numbness, blackness, or tingling, throbbing, redness, and/or swelling of the affected area upon re-warming.
As for hypothermia, seek immediate medical treatment if you suspect you or someone you know has it.
Courtesy of HeraldStandard.com. Original article can be read here.