5 Most Common Causes of Winter Ankle Sprains

At Goldsmith Podiatry we know this time of year can bring ice, freezing rain and snow in Manhattan—all of which can make sidewalks slippery and increase the risk for ankle sprain injuries. The good news is you can reduce your risk of a winter spill. Below are the most common reasons why people twist an ankle in the winter and how to avoid them.

1.       You’re wearing the wrong shoes for the weather conditions. Spiky heels and fashion boots with smooth soles are no match for a slippery wintry mix. Choose boots with a gripping tread and short, wide heels for maximum pavement contact and stability. Always choose function over fashion in shoes when dealing with icy conditions. You can always bring your better-looking shoes with you and change when you to your office or event.

2.       Carrying too many packages. Yes, it’s the season for massive amounts of shopping and gift buying but if you have an armload of packages, you’ll be unable to see icy patches on the path in front of you. You also won’t have your arms free to use for balance. Make more trips so you can watch where you’re walking!

3.       Poorly cleared areas. Keep salt handy and make sure the area around the entrance to your home is cleared. When heading to an office or store, take a moment to check and see the best cleared route. Consider keeping a small baggy of salt or cat litter in your pocket to sprinkle on the ground in front of you in case you have to cross what looks to be a slippery surface.

4.       Melty puddles in vestibules. One of the most frequent sites for ankle sprains is right inside a building’s entrance. That’s where the snow and slush drop off everyone’s boots, leaving a slippery mess.

5.       Chronic ankle problems. If you’ve suffered one or more ankle injuries in the past, you may have an ongoing problem with weak ankles. Ankle sprains that are not promptly and completely rehabilitated leave your ankle ligaments overstretched and more likely to lead to another sprain in the future. If this is your situation, contact our Upper West Side office by calling: (212) 877-1002 so that our podiatrists, Dr. Howard Goldsmith and Dr. Rosanna Troia, can examine your ankle and prescribe exercises and other treatments to build ankle strength.