Everyone knows that in the wintertime in the northern states, you’re going to have to deal with snow and ice. Snow removal teams will do their best to get out and plow, salt, and sand the roads to keep them from turning into a massive game of bumper cars. But what about all the sidewalks, walking paths, and parking lots? Sure, there are store owners, city workers, and smaller plows that do what they can, but invariably there is always some snow and ice left over. To avoid a trip to Dwight healthcare, it’s important to use caution when trying to navigate any of these areas. Even if you’re healthy and have good coordination, it’s easy to slip and fall. It sounds innocent enough, but the injuries are sometimes severe: broken hips, collarbones, and wrists-even concussions. Fortunately, there are precautions you can take.
Many times these falls occur when people are walking with footwear that is not intended for snow and ice. Commonly these are work shoes with little or no tread. It’s no wonder people can’t keep their balance and fall down! Avoid the trip to Southern Chicago Healthcare and get a pair of overshoes, which slip on over your work shoes and have sufficient tread to get better traction in wintry weather. Sure, it’s an investment to get a pair that will do the job, but it’s certainly worth knowing that you will have good enough grip to walk to and from your job safely. Another option is slip-on shoe bottoms that have metal springs or other traction devices. These are a low-cost alternative and do a surprisingly good job on slippery surfaces. They have a tendency to slip off sometimes, but that’s a small annoyance if you can walk around without falling.
Sometimes, you’re not at your best. Let’s say you tweaked a knee or an ankle playing basketball or, more serious, are in the middle of a cardiac rehab program. The last thing you need is to aggravate a pre-existing injury or condition because of a fall. If you find yourself in this situation, do what you can to minimize the risk. If you need help up an incline, don’t be bashful. Ask someone to give you a hand. Or better yet, avoid the incline altogether. Take smaller steps and slow down. Sometimes a fall happens simply because someone is in a rush and not paying attention to the pavement below them. If you take a little extra care, hopefully you won’t slip and find yourself in the doctor’s office!
If you’re not looking for an extended stay at Dwight healthcare, make sure you wear proper footwear and exercise caution during the winter months. Riverside Medical Center can certainly take care of your Southern Chicago healthcare needs, but if you can avoid a fall in the first place, that’s even better. In fact, whether you need emergency service or a cardiac rehab program, Riverside probably has what you need. Learn more at Riverside Medical Center today.