Common Winter Hip Injuries

The cold season is ripe with slips, falls, joint pain, and injury all around. Hip injuries are known to be particularly dangerous and more common during the cold season. A fractured hip can leave you immobile for quite some time, with the risk of any further complications. As you age, all these risks become even higher! By looking at some of the most common hip injuries that occur in Winter, we can discuss how to prevent them as well. Here at the New York Sports Medicine Institute, we specialize in all kinds of orthopedic surgery and physical therapy to help get you back on your feet. For a hip doctor NYC, you’re in no better hands.

The cold can exacerbate joint pain, especially in the elderly. This connection has no clear link, but the effects are there. Not the prime environment to sustain a hip injury. However, the Winter’s biggest danger to your hips is ice and snow. Hip fractures from slipping on ice are extremely common during these cold months and can have very serious consequences. There are several types of hip fractures to discuss:

• Femoral Neck Fracture – This occurs when the ball of the ball-and-socket joint in your hip is fractured off your femur. Treatment varies greatly depending on the injury.
• Intertrochanteric Hip Fractures – Occurs when just below the femoral neck is fractured. These are more common, and treatment involves inserting a rod or plate to stabilize your healing bones.
• Pelvic Fractures – Fracture near the hip joint, often called a broken hip.
• Pelvic Insufficiency Fracture – When the pelvic bone itself is fractured, often treated with no surgery.
• Acetabular Fracture – A fracture of the hip socket, usually treated with an invasive procedure due to the nature of the area.

Most of these injuries require surgery and can come with a wealth of complications. As a general rule of thumb, only about 25% of people who undergo a broken hip return to their previous level of function. Proactive rehabilitation and strength training are necessary to return to form. The quicker the surgery is done, the less likely complications such as blood clots, pneumonia, and bedsores. The recovery process is arduous, long, and necessary. 

Skiing and snowshoeing are also very easy ways to injure your hip during the Winter, believe it or not. Skiing can expedite a common athletic injury of the hip, the Repetitive Strain Injury. This is because the intense movement demanded by these sports can be a huge load for the untrained joint to bear. Training, stretching, and proper exercise before doing any kind of strenuous activity are key to avoiding injury. However, as mentioned before, ice is the real thing to be wary of. A broken hip is not easy to replace!

Now, we can talk about ways to avoid slipping and falling on your hip this season. Here are 5 tips to help you stay safe:

• Proper footwear – Sneakers outside in the Winter is a no-go. It is extremely easy to lose your balance and fall in sneakers. Boots are the essential choice. The grooves in the sole allow you to grip the ice better, and the weighty feel of the boot keeps you balanced and makes you less likely to fall. Not to mention, they’re warm and look great.
• Create a safe environment outside your house – Make sure the outside of your house is well lit to distinguish ice when it’s dark out. Keep your walkway free of ice, snow, or anything else. Snow can freeze very quickly if not shoveled. Make sure to lay down a good patch of salt for good measure. You’ll thank yourself later. 
• Pay attention – This may sound self-explanatory, but it is important. Many don’t look at the ground ahead of them while walking, and this can lead to very nasty falls. Staying off of your smartphone as well helps!
• Walk efficiently and properly – A fast, long stride is bad for ice. Walk-in a way that your center of gravity is low, and don’t allow yourself room to slide around.
• Walk slow – Also self-explanatory, but taking it slow is the best way to prevent slipping and falling!

Contact Us: Hip Doctor NYC

Hip injuries are common during the winter, but with proper care and foresight, can be mostly avoided. However, if you are injured, you can count on the New York Sports Medicine Institute. For a hip doctor NYC, we offer treatment, replacement, and so much more to help you get back on your feet. Give us a call today!