Starting with a healthy foundation in your feet and ankles can help you have a successful winter sporting season. To ensure an injury–free winter season follow our recommendations.
From the rush of downhill skiing and snow boarding to cross country skiing to ice skating, cold weather sports provide a fast track for fun and cardiovascular heath. But beware, the colder temperatures and exhilarating speeds attained during such sports can expose your foot and ankles to debilitating injuries.
Healthy feet and ankles act as accelerators, brakes and shock absorbers in winter sports and help keep the body upright and out of the line of danger. Therefore, avoiding foot/ankle problems is key to full enjoyment during these activities.
To ensure an injury–free winter season follow the recommendations listed below:
Keep your feet warm and dry:
Proper footwear, insulated, waterproof boots or shoes, and thick cotton socks, to wick away moisture is as important as coats, hats and gloves during cold weather activities.
Proper fitting footwear :
Is the single most important factor in safe and successful skiing and ice skating. Without a snug and accurate fit, the pressure exerted from constant forward motion and side movement of skiing and quick turns of skating can result in discomfort and injury. Additionally, boots or skates that are too big can cause irritation in the toes due to excess motion or ones that are too small can inhibit circulation to the toes and cause cold feet.
Stretch before and after participating in winter sports:
Stretching the lower extremity prevents muscle pulls and tears and prepares the muscles for the movements required in the activities.
Follow the tips listed above and enjoy the remainder of this winter season.
If you have sustained an injury during a winter sporting activity please give our office a call, 1-216-459-8616, we are here to help!
William E. Donahue, DPM, FACFAS
