While the snowy weather of winter is welcomed by many each year, the season's ice and snow also leads to an increased risk of slip and fall accidents. A variety of joint injuries might occur from a slip on an icy path, from ankle sprains to spinal damage. To prepare for the coldest months of the year, learn more about how these injuries might affect you and ways to treat them if they happen.

What Injuries Result From Winter Slip & Fall Accidents?

1. Spine

If you slip and fall in icy conditions, you may damage spinal canal nerves or the spinal cord itself. You may also experience cut or stretched nerves or a compressed spine. While some spinal injuries simply result in nerve pain or a slipped disk, others can result in various degrees of paralysis.

In this case, possible treatments include immobilizing you on a bed or with a neck collar, reducing body temperature to prevent inflammation, relieving compression with surgery, and rehabilitating you through physical therapy.

2. Foot & Ankle

If you twist during a fall, you may experience joint injuries such as ankle sprains or bruising. On the other hand, direct impact may cause fractures or broken bones. Mild injuries causing heel and foot pain often heal on their own, while severe damage may require surgery. Either way, you'll often need a cast, splint, or brace to hold your ankle or foot in place while it heals.

3. Knee

Knees are complex parts of the body, putting them at high risk for injury during a winter slip and fall. You might experience a wide range of damage, such as torn ligaments, bruised muscles, stretched tendons, and dislocated or broken bones.

One of the most common injuries is a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), particularly when the fall results in a twisting motion. Women are more likely than men to tear their ACLs, and the recovery time can vary from weeks to several months.

If you need treatment for a joint injury after a slip and fall, seek help from Orthopaedic Associates of Rochester in New York. These skilled medical professionals offer up-to-date techniques, and they also can provide you with a same-day diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon is available for pain-relieving procedures, including foot surgery and hip replacement. To learn more about their services or to schedule an appointment, call (585) 723­-3000.