Winter can be tough at times, and it likes to strike with brute force. Ice is one of the biggest concerns, because it’s easy to slip and fall, which could result in injuries. That’s not a dreamy situation since it only adds to your struggle during the cold season.
Injuries caused by slipping on ice are a seasonal issue, and doctors have to deal with treating them every winter. Considering anyone can be affected by these incidents, it’s important to be aware of what could happen if you slip, as well as what to do. So, read on to find out more.
Top Injuries Caused by Slipping on Ice
● Rotator Cuff Injuries and Shoulder Separation
If somehow you slip on ice and end up landing on the shoulder and not the hands, there’s a risk of injury to the rotator cuff bones or muscles. Because of the hard impact, the ligaments may be torn, thus separating the collarbone from the shoulder bones as a result.
There are treatments that restore the affected bones and ligaments, but if you are still in pain, there may be the need for surgery.
● Broken Bones
Slipping on ice may result in broken bones, such as breaking your leg, for instance. Such a situation is not to be taken for granted, and you should seek medical help, and have someone nearby help you immediately.
● Wrist Fractures and Breaks
Many people tend to fall on their hands when they slip and fall on ice. Although it’s a way to protect the face and the head overall, it may end with distal radius fractures, or what is known as broken wrists.
Despite being possible to treat fractured wrists in a nonsurgical way, there are more serious situations that require surgery to stabilize the bones.
● Herniated Spinal Discs
In other serious situations, slipping on ice may end up with you landing on your back. This could be severe, and you should seek medical help immediately because it could cause a herniated disc on your spine. A doctor can determine if you need any serious treatment or surgery as a consequence.
● Concussions and Other Head Injuries
In the worst-case scenarios, your head may hit the hard surface, which could have bad consequences. If this happens, immediate medical attention is required, so you find out whether there’s a serious problem or not.
What to Do Next?
You can prevent slipping on ice by wearing proper shoes, but that doesn’t always work.
So, in the event that you still get an injury because your leg slipped, you should know what to do next. Therefore, if you have a serious accident, the first step would be to call 9-1-1 and report what happened. They will come and help stabilize the injury, and if specialized care is needed, the emergency department will recommend you see a specialist.
If the injury is less severe, you may have to seek out orthopaedic urgent care, and you will be checked for any fractures or more severe things. You may need treatment, depending on the severity. Keep in mind that some injury effects may not be felt immediately, so you should still seek help right away.
Slipping on ice is never fun, so if it happens to you, you need to know what to do next. If someone else is responsible for your injury, you should seek the help of a Washington DC personal injury attorney, or any other personal injury attorney, depending on the state you live in.
