Dr. Matthew Ellsworth
Special to NKyTribune
Although fashionable, high-heeled boots put you at increased risk for slips, falls, and injuries on the ice and snow.
Popular women’s boots typically feature sky-high heels and very little wiggle room for your toes. These boots can make your feet unstable on snow- and ice-covered surfaces. The higher the heel, the more unstable the foot and ankle.
Falls from slipping on the ice are a main reason for the 500 percent increase in ER visits during the winter season.
These falls can cause a number of injuries to the head, back of feet and legs. Fractured ankles and ankle sprains are common injuries sustained in ice falls. Slipping or falling in these boots can also cause broken toes, metatarsals and heel bones.
If you do get hurt, seek immediate treatment. In the meantime, the RICE method should be followed:
• Rest: Stay off the injured foot to prevent further damage.
• Ice: Apply a bag of ice over a thin towel to the affected area for 20 minutes of each waking hour to reduce swelling and pain. Do not put ice directly against the skin.
• Compression: Wrap the ankle in an elastic bandage or wear a compression stocking to prevent further swelling.
• Elevation: Keep the foot elevated to reduce the swelling. It should be even with or slightly above the hip level.
Avoiding or delaying treatment for injuries can have very negative impacts such as chronic ankle instability, pain, arthritis, or deformity. Even if you can walk on the injured foot, painful bruises and swelling could indicate a serious foot or ankle injury.
General tips to avoid winter ankle injuries:
• Keep areas around outside doorways well-lit so icy patches are visible.
• Shoe gear should contain a traction sole that can prevent slipping.
• Check for icy spots before getting out of a car or walking on stairs.
• Avoid wearing high-heeled shoes outdoors.
• Scuff up the bottoms of new boots or purchase adhesive rubber soles to provide traction on icy surfaces.
Remember, even if you ‘just sprain your ankle,’ a bad sprain can sometimes be considered worse than a clean break if the ligaments and tendons don’t heal correctly. Have your podiatrist assess the sprain or injury and get the best outcome.
Dr. Matthew Ellsworth works at Lexington Podiatry.