Temperatures below zero, and ice and snow covering the ground require greater vigilance not only from drivers but also from pedestrians. In the cold season, due to more difficult weather conditions, the risk of fractures, head injuries, and frostbite increases, and queues of people who have suffered these or other injuries stretch to the doctors.

How to avoid them, who should be especially careful in winter and what symptoms should be immediately sought after an injury, shares Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution (HEI) lecturer, emergency medical care specialist, and instructor Virginija Gutienė.

Many injuries can be prevented

V. Gutienė reveals that among the most common injuries suffered when exposed to cold are fractures of the arms and legs – when slipping, the arms (forearm and wrist bones) and legs (shin and ankle bones) are most often affected.

‘When falling, people instinctively try to use their hands to cushion the impact, but this often results in broken forearm bones and wrists,’ says the emergency medical care specialist.

According to her, head injuries also increase in winter, as falling on a slippery road can result in a head injury, concussion, or even a skull fracture. According to the specialist, muscle and joint strains also increase during the cold season – they can be caused by sudden movements on slippery surfaces.

‘Of course, as the thermometers fall, frostbite of fingers, toes, noses and ears increase,’ shares V. Gutienė.

However, she notes, that if you are careful enough and take preventive measures, many injuries can be avoided or their consequences can be mitigated. V. Gutienė points out that in winter it is important to choose footwear with a rough sole that does not slip on ice. Careful walking is no less important.

‘If you feel that the surface is slippery, walk more slowly, avoid sudden movements and large steps, and if there is a lot of ice, if you have the opportunity, it is better not to go outside at all. In the latter case, seniors should be especially careful. When climbing stairs, do so carefully, holding on to the railing,” emphasises V. Gutienė and adds that waterproof, warm clothing will help prevent frostbite and injuries.

The specialist reminds that in winter it gets dark early, so in order to avoid injuries, it is necessary to use reflective elements when it’s dark.

V. Gutienė encourages older people to use assistive devices, such as walkers or canes, which will also help prevent injuries or mitigate their consequences.

Those in these groups should be especially careful

The emergency medical care specialist distinguishes head and back injuries, open fractures, frostbite and hypothermia as the most dangerous injuries to health.

‘Head injuries, such as concussion, bleeding into the brain, and skull fractures can cause serious neurological problems, coma, and sometimes death. Back injuries are no less dangerous, which can cause back muscle strains, vertebral fractures, disc herniations or other permanent disability-causing injuries,’ warns the Kauno kolegija HEI lecturer.

Meanwhile, in open fractures, when the skin is damaged and the bones are visible, large blood vessels can also be damaged and if damaged, a person can bleed quickly. V. Gutienė notes that open fractures also pose a high risk of infection.

‘Severe frostbite can cause tissue necrosis, and may even require limb amputation. In the case of hypothermia, when the body temperature drops below what is needed to maintain the body’s metabolism and activity, the activity of vital organs can be disrupted, and the consequences can sometimes be fatal,’ shares V. Gutienė.

While the specialist urges everyone to take care of their health when the weather gets colder, there are a few groups of people who should be especially careful. These include older people, people with osteoporosis, slower reaction times and poorer balance – they are at greater risk of slipping and injuring themselves.

People with joint problems should also be more careful in the winter, as arthritis, osteoarthritis and other joint diseases can limit mobility and increase the risk of falling. Meanwhile, pregnant women, due to their changed centre of gravity and increased weight, are more prone to slipping and injuring themselves.

‘Children are often active and do not always assess potential dangers, so in order to avoid injuries, they need special care in winter. The risk group also includes people who take medications that can cause side effects, such as dizziness or drowsiness, which increases the risk of falling,’ says V. Gutienė.

If you experience the following symptoms, you should seek medical attention

Even if you experience a minor injury, the emergency medical care specialist urges you to take it seriously. Although not every injury requires seeking medical attention, V. Gutienė identifies symptoms that indicate it is important to see a doctor.

‘Seek medical help immediately if you cannot fully move your arm or leg after an injury, feel severe pain, or notice a deformity, such as an abnormally curved, swollen, or painful limb,’ warns V. Gutienė.

You should also seek medical attention immediately if you experience difficulty breathing or exhaling, shortness of breath, a deep, profusely bleeding wound, severe dizziness, nausea, or vomiting. The latter symptoms may indicate a head injury.

‘Even if the injury seems minor, it is always better to consult a doctor to avoid complications. He will assess your condition, prescribe the necessary treatment, and provide recommendations on how to care for the injured area,’ emphasises emergency medical care specialist V. Gutienė.

The article is published on lrt.lt (in Lithuanian)