Winter Sport Safety Tips to Avoid Hand Injury
Winter Sport Safety Tips to Avoid Hand Injury
The excitement, the challenge, the thrill! Winter sports have something going for them that sports any other time of the year don’t – they are FAST!
Ice, slippery snow, and frozen lakes all make for incredible action. But this very action is what contributes to the injury rate in winter sports.
In one recent year, nearly 250,000 people in the US were treated for winter sports-related injuries.
Here’s the breakdown:
Skiing – 88,000 injuries
Snowboarding – 61,000 injuries
Sledding, tobogganing or snow tubing – 47,000 injuries
Ice Skating – 50,000 injuries
So what can you do to keep you and your family safe, while still enjoying your favorite outdoor winter sport?
Follow these tips to avoid hand & wrist injury:
If you are new to the sport, be sure to invest in a few lessons from a qualified coach, who can help you adapt to the rigors of the sport, teach you how to fall, and check to be sure your equipment fits you correctly. And – check your equipment every time before you go out, to be sure it is in proper working order.
Never participate in a winter sport alone.
Be sure to make adequate hydration part of your daily plan to stay in shape. Individuals should drink one-half their weight in ounces of water each day to stay hydrated. Staying hydrated is especially important at the end of the day, too.
Keep your muscles in good condition and be sure to stretch and warm-up before hitting the slopes or the rink.
Wear appropriate protective gear; especially helmets. At the fast pace of many winter sports, brain-injuring concussions can occur.
Layer your clothing, so you can shed layers or add them as the temperature fluctuates.
Know and abide by all rules of the sport.
Pay attention to weather reports and forecasts, and heed the warnings of personnel if stormy weather approaches.
Seek shelter and medical attention immediately if you or anyone in your group is experiencing frostbite or hypothermia. Make sure everyone is aware of procedures for getting help, if an injury should occur.
Monitor your energy level and don’t engage in the sport if you are tired or in pain.
A fresh snowfall will call many to come and play outside. Just follow a few simple rules to insure your day of fun doesn’t turn into a disaster. If an injury to the hand, wrist, arm or upper extremity does occur, seek medical attention immediately and then follow up with Dr. Rehman.
She is an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in upper body injuries, and she will do a comprehensive evaluation before designing an individualized program of least-invasive recovery and rehabilitation. Don’t suffer with pain, stiffness, tingling or numbness. These can all be signs of a serious injury which, if left untreated, could sideline you from your sport permanently. Dr. Rehman and her team of hand therapists can help you return to recovery with full range of motion and strength.
Numbness or Tingling in the Hands or Fingers
Numbness or Tingling in the Hands or Fingers
Anything that reduces the blood supply to the wrists, hands and fingers can cause nerve damage, and this damage creates the feeling of numbness or tingling in that area of the body.
A variety of activities and conditions can contribute to this reduced blood supply. Sometimes repetitive motions over a long period of time, such as in a work, hobby or sports setting, can be a factor. Diabetes can reduce the blood supply to peripheral areas of the body, resulting in nerve damage. Arthritis and Multiple Sclerosis can also cause this condition, as can certain chemotherapy drugs used for cancer treatment.
Some of the most common conditions causing numbness or tingling are:
Tendonitis
Tendonitis is an inflammation of a tendon in the body. Tendons attach muscles to bones, and are responsible for helping to create movement. Normally tendons glide smoothly, but when they become inflamed, this process is affected. Stiffness, pain, and sometimes tingling is noticeable. Sports or other injuries can cause this sudden inflammation, but so can repetitive motions from working on a computer, repetitive manufacturing jobs, sewing, playing a guitar or other activities.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passage through the wrist that houses and protects the median nerve, running from the hands all the way up the arm. When this tunnel becomes inflamed, pressure is placed on this nerve and pain, numbness and tingling can occur. Some people are genetically more prone to this condition; others can develop it over time from repetitive motions involving the wrists and fingers.
Trigger Finger or Trigger Thumb
Again caused by inflammation, in this case the tendons in the fingers, this condition causes a finger or the thumb to become “stuck” in a bent position, and then to snap back when it releases, much like a trigger releasing. Early signs of trigger finger can include stiffness when you move the finger, your joint “popping” when you move it, or a bump at the base of the finger. Repetitive grasping or gripping motions are usually the source of this condition. If not treated properly, the digit can become permanently bent.
The most important step to take when you are experiencing numbness or tingling in the hands is to start with a proper diagnosis of the cause of the condition. It is best to consult a doctor who specializes in treating the hands and the upper body, as these are delicate structures involving complicated interactions between the tendons, ligaments, nerves, bones and muscles.
Most causes of tingling and numbness can be treated with a variety of non-invasive techniques, and will successfully resolve with proper treatment and time. Sometimes a surgical intervention is necessary, and in this case you definitely want a hand surgeon; an orthopedic doctor with specialization in the hands, wrists and upper body.
If you or someone you know is experiencing hand, finger, wrist or upper extremity pain, contact Dr. Rehman today. She will perform a thorough evaluation to determine the root of the problem, and will design a comprehensive treatment plan to help you attain a full recovery.
