Southern California is a fantastic place for outdoor enthusiasts of all kind. This time of year skiers and snowboarders head to the mountains to test their skills. Just as in any other sport, sometimes overuse leads to feet and ankle injuries. It may be a simple sprain or more complicated fracture or dislocation. With any injury it’s wise to get diagnosed and treated quickly, but because many of these injuries occur on trips, people put off treatment until they get home. Not a good idea. An untreated ankle sprain could lead chronic instability. If it’s a fracture, you don’t want the bones to start healing until they are aligned properly. A stretched tendon or an injured joint demand the same kind of quick medical attention.
Tips:
- Make sure skates, ski boots or snowboard boots fit properly. Lace up skates tightly enough to give your ankle proper support.
- If you haven’t engaged in these activities since last winter, start conditioning two weeks ahead of time doing specific exercises to condition the muscles used in that sport.
