Avoid These Holiday Ankle Sprain Scenarios

The snow has started to fly, and along with ice and sleet, make for slippery sidewalks and surfaces here in Manhattan. At Goldsmith Podiatry, we know this means a greater incidence of ankle sprains. The hustle and bustle of the holiday add to the risk. Don’t fall victim to one of the following scenarios:

“These spiky heels are the perfect finish to my festive outfit.”

Sparkle and glamour are the fashion order of the day for holiday get-togethers. But high heels are naturally unstable and don’t stand a chance helping you successfully navigate slick surfaces. Always wear boots or athletic shoes with short, wide heels and a tread that grips the ground. Pack your party shoes and switch into them once you get where you’re going—your feet will be grateful too because you’ll be spending less time in shoes that can be painful and exacerbate foot problems.

“I had to work overtime and now I’m late for dinner. I promised to pick up dinner rolls, so I’ll just quickly run into the supermarket and pick them up.”

Rushing leads to mistakes, and when it comes to dealing with inclement weather conditions, it increases your risk of taking a spill. It's essential to try to build extra time into your schedule or anticipate tight timelines (buy the dinner rolls the day before!). Being able to slow down and take your time reduces the chances of a fall and your stress level!

"Phew! I finished my shopping, and all I want to do is get inside and relax. I think I can carry all my bags and packages in one trip from the car to the apartment."

Arms overladen with packages could contribute to loss of balance. If you're piled high with bags and boxes, you also won't be able to see the walkway in front of you, making it easy to miss snowy patches, ice, or objects that can result in an ankle-twisting injury. Make two trips or leave some packages locked in the car for the next day.

“My foot has been hurting me lately. I don’t have time to get to the podiatrist before the holidays, so I’ll make an appointment in January.”

When your foot hurts, it alters your gait. It, in turn, makes it more likely that you’ll misstep and take a tumble. Get foot pain evaluated promptly by our podiatrists, Dr. Howard Goldsmith and Dr. Rosanna Troia. Make an appointment at our Upper West Side NYC office by calling (212) 877-1002.

Wishing our patients the very best this holiday season!