Winter is officially here, and many people are trying to stay warm and enjoy the holiday season. Unfortunately, the accumulation of ice and snow can make sidewalks and roads slippery, which can lead to slips, falls, and foot and ankle injuries.
Watch out for common foot and ankle injuries and follow advice from foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons to help you stay pain free this winter and enjoy the holidays with family and friends.
Foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon Garett J. Pangrazzi, MD, from Corewell Health Medical Group in Grand Rapids, Michigan, says ankle fractures and sprains increase substantially in regions where snow and ice are common in the winter months.
“The slick surfaces can cause rotational injuries to the foot and ankle,” he said.
With the icy sidewalks and roads, Dr. Pangrazzi advises to wear stable shoes with excellent gripping treads and to avoid smooth-bottom dress shoes outside. To prevent slipping on ice, he also recommends making sure your driveways and walkways are shoveled and salted.
Andrew D. Wohler, MD, from Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics in Indianapolis, Indiana, agrees.
“While some injuries may not be completely avoidable, taking appropriate precautions when going into cold, wet, slippery environments can help mitigate some of these risks,” Dr. Wohler said.
While cold weather might make you feel like curling up in bed or watching movies on the couch, Dr. Wohler says staying active can help prevent foot and ankle injuries.
“I see conditions like plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinopathy increase because of tightness. This tightness in the foot or leg can be caused either by decreased activity and mobility in the winter or sharp changes in the weather,” he said.
Plantar fasciitis is an overuse injury that affects the heel of your foot while Achilles tendinopathy causes pain in the back of your leg.
"If you begin to notice pain on the bottom or back of your heel, setting some time to work on stretching and low-impact exercise may help decrease symptoms,” Dr. Wohler said.
In the winter, Dr. Wohler also sees more patients with athlete's foot, a condition caused by fungi that thrive in moist and warm environments such as showers and wet or sweaty socks that have been left in shoes.
Keeping your feet as dry as possible will help prevent athlete's foot as well as cold-related foot injuries such as frostbite, he said.
If you experience significant pain and swelling or you can’t put weight on your foot, Drs. Pangrazzi and Wohler recommend seeking out a foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon in your area for an evaluation.
The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) offers information on this site as an educational service. The content of FootCareMD, including text, images, and graphics, is for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnoses or treatments. If you need medical advice, use the "Find a Surgeon" search to locate a foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon in your area.
