When the temperature dips and the snow starts to fall, one of the best things to do is head outside for some winter fun. Sledding, skating, and skiing are a lot of fun, but these activities are also the main cause of injuries in the winter. We also see a lot of slip-and-fall injuries this time of year, from icy sidewalks and slippery steps. If you or a loved one gets injured while out in the cold, urgent care can take care of them.
When a person comes in with an injury, it’s important to evaluate and get to the root of the problem. Pain, swelling, and bruising can be symptoms of several different injuries. Muscles and ligaments could be strained or pulled, joints may be sprained, or there may even be a fracture or fracture in a bone. It is important to evaluate the injury and get a proper diagnosis, this allows for proper and effective treatment.
The easiest way to rule out a broken bone is with an x-ray. At one time, x-rays meant long waits at the hospital ER and then an even longer wait for results and casting or splinting, if needed. Our facilities offer x-rays on site, so we can get a quick image of the affected area to see if there is a fracture. If there is, we respond appropriately. If not, we know the area is probably either bruised, strained, or sprained. While the recovery time will still probably take a while, our doctors and you will know that proper actions were taken and appropriate treatment was assigned. This gives us all the peace of mind that you will eventually feel better without major medical intervention. In many cases, the “RICE” method, which stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation, does wonders to heal the affected area.
Head injuries are one of the more serious concerns about falling in the winter. When falling to the ground, many times the back of your head hits the ice or snow which can result in a concussion. A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that occurs when the brain is shaken inside the skull.
Some people believe that if you don’t lose consciousness you don’t have a concussion. However, many people don’t pass out when hitting their head but are still diagnosed with a concussion. In the stress of a fall, some people don’t even remember hitting their head, so it is important to watch for any of these symptoms in the hours, days, and even weeks after a fall:
A head injury can be serious, so it is important to stay on the side of caution and get it checked out. We have the tools and knowledge to evaluate head injuries and give recommendations for the next step. After an examination, we can let you know how to treat the injury and what warning signs to look out for.
Winter weather brings slippery conditions which often result in incidents that require medical care. Whether you’re doing something fun like skating or sledding or out shoveling the latest round of snow and slipping on a patch of ice, it is important to have injuries evaluated and treated.
In the Philadelphia area, vybe urgent care is available for these types of accidents, even when they occur in the evenings or on the weekend. When your doctor’s office is closed or doesn’t have an appointment available, and the wait at the ER is too long, Urgent Care is a great option.
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