Do’s and Don’ts for Avoiding Falls this Winter

Yes, it’s “the most wonderful time of the year,” but also prime season for slips and falls as the temperatures drop and our patients at Goldsmith Podiatry speed up trying to accomplish everything on their holiday checklists. There are, however, several simple steps you can take to avoid taking a spill this winter.

Do: watch where you are walking and be aware of potentially slippery conditions. Dark pavement may mean ice and a potential fall, while sleet and snow can make it difficult to detect where the curb is to step down into the street, leading to ankle sprains.

Do: wear the right footwear for the conditions. Leave the high heeled boots and sparkly, spiked pumps in your bag and don sturdy boots with anti-slip treads for trudging through the city. Even if a party is just a short distance from your office or home, don’t risk an injury that could have you sitting out the rest of the season.

Don’t: obstruct your view with armloads of packages that will keep you from seeing tripping hazards in front of you.

Do: allow enough time to get where you are going. Being in a hurry may make you less aware of your surroundings and more likely to trip and fall.

Do: wear an ankle brace or custom orthotic if our podiatrists, Dr. Howard Goldsmith or Dr. Rosanna Troia have prescribed one for you. Those are meant to help stabilize your feet and ankles and correct biomechanical problems.

Don’t: push foot pain to the back burner. If you are experiencing pain or discomfort in your feet or ankles, you’re likely to change your gait in order to avoid the pain. This can throw off your balance and lead to a fall. It’s essential that you not put off getting it evaluated. In most cases, delaying treatment of foot conditions will only result in them getting worse and requiring longer and possibly more invasive treatments. Contact Goldsmith Podiatry at our Upper West Side NYC office at 212-877-1002 or schedule an appointment online today!