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Prevention of injuries in winter. Prevention of injuries in winter

At this time, bruises and bone fractures (about 15%), dislocations (about 10) predominate. The main causes of these injuries are falls due to the unsatisfactory condition of sidewalks and roads (unremoved compacted snow, icy conditions, potholes, pits, potholes). The victims are predominantly of working age (about 80). Children under 15 years old make up 2%, and people over 60 years old make up about 8%. The most common, in descending order, is a fracture of the radius in a typical location, fractures of the ankles and collarbone, bruises of the humerus, fractures of the shin bones and damage to the ligamentous apparatus of the ankle and knee joints, and traumatic brain injuries.

It is estimated that the possibility of influence on the state of injury in general by doctors is no more than 10%, and the remaining 90% depends on other factors, which, in turn, can be divided into external and internal. The first group includes ecology, the condition of habitats, work areas, recreation areas, sidewalks, roadways, and the serviceability of machines and mechanisms. And internal ones are compliance with safety precautions, principles of safe life, traffic rules, principles of a sober lifestyle.

Statistics say that the main cause of injuries in winter is banal haste. Many people simply do not notice the ice covered with snow, as a result of which they fall and receive various injuries. In a hurry, a person tends not to notice even open ice. In addition, a significant proportion of injuries are associated with public transport. They slip and fall both when entering and exiting a bus or trolleybus. Children and youth love to take a running start on a slippery path or slide. At the same time, crowding and knocking each other over. In this case, they usually get off with bruises. Although not always.

The most common injuries - fractures of the limbs - occur due to the fact that when falling, a person instinctively puts his arm forward and falls on it with the entire weight of his body. A similarly awkwardly placed leg breaks at the shin area. In women, wearing high-heeled shoes also contributes to this. It is easy to trip and fall in it. Elderly people, due to age-related characteristics of the skeleton (increased fragility, less elasticity of ligaments and muscle frame), often receive very serious injuries. They often break the spine and femoral neck. In old age, even a small blow can cause a fracture. In 95% of cases this occurs in women.

By changing a number of external and internal factors, you can protect yourself from injuries in the winter. And if we are often unable to change the first group of reasons, then a number of internal factors are available to most potential victims. Let us remind you that it is necessary to comply with the principles of safe life, traffic rules, etc.

How to fall “correctly”?

If you feel like you are falling, try to sit down - this will reduce the height from which you fall. In addition, at the moment of falling you need to group yourself - pull your chin to your chest, remove your hands to your stomach, press your elbows to your sides. Try to push your shoulders forward and keep your feet together. In combination with a squat, this will give a tuck. The main condition for correct execution is not to be afraid of bruising in advance.

If you slip and lose your balance, do not land on straight arms! Try to group yourself and turn to the side so that the blow hits the side surface of the falling body. This way you will protect your spine, pelvis and limbs from overload. This technique is recommended for people over 50 years of age.

If you fall on your back, press your chin to your chest and spread your arms as wide as possible. This will protect you from traumatic brain injury.

If you fall down a slippery ladder, it is very important to protect your face and head: try to cover them with your hands. Do not try to break your fall by spreading your arms and legs - this will only increase the number of fractures.

How to prevent possible injuries?

Preventing injuries falls under the umbrella of injury prevention. And, as the same ubiquitous statistics show, this significantly reduces their number. To prevent winter injuries, you must follow these simple rules:

It is advisable to wear shoes with flat soles or low square heels. It is better if the sole has large ribs that do not slip.

You need to walk in icy conditions in a special way - as if sliding a little, as if on small skis. It is advisable to go as slowly as possible. There is no point in sliding on ice on purpose - this increases the icing on the soles. Remember, the faster the step, the greater the risk of falling.

Elderly people, who are most susceptible to injury, are recommended to attach special “anti-icing” pads to the soles of their usual shoes. They can be purchased at appropriate retail outlets.

You should follow safety precautions when engaging in extreme sports, use all necessary protective accessories (elbow pads, knee pads, helmets, etc.).

It is important to teach your child to follow safety precautions when skiing, skating, and sledding. Don't forget to provide your children with all the necessary protective equipment. Adults need to be able to provide first aid to a child.

Attention and caution are the main means for preventing injuries, and not only winter ones. Therefore, when going out into the street, especially on those days when the “plus” on the street changes to “minus” or vice versa, you need to evaluate every step you take! Remember, the best prevention of winter injuries is caution and prudence!

How to provide first aid correctly?

Statistics show that in more than half of the cases, assistance to victims of “winter” injuries and their transportation to a medical facility are carried out incorrectly. This aggravates the severity of the damage and complicates further treatment. The population as a whole is poorly oriented in matters of first aid.

The essence of first aid depends on the type of injury

Injury. This is the most common type of injury and occurs when struck by a hard, blunt object. Pain, usually mild, occurs at the moment of impact or shortly after it. Swelling forms relatively quickly, and bruising appears after a few hours. In case of deep tissue injury, it may appear after 2–3 days. The function of the bruised limb in the form of limited movements is slightly impaired.

First aid for a bruise is aimed at reducing hemorrhage and relieving pain. Apply a pressure bandage and cool the injury site (ice pack, cold compress, wet cloth, cold metal object). The bruised limb is given a state of rest (the arm is suspended on a scarf, the joint is fixed with an 8-shaped bandage or splint). To make the bruise resolve faster, lubricate it with heparoid or troxevasin. This will prevent the spilled blood from clotting, and it will quickly resolve without pain or swelling at the site of the bruise. A good effect is achieved by applying a “mesh” of 0.25–0.5% iodine solution to the skin. To do this, a regular 5% iodine solution from a vial must be diluted with alcohol or vodka.

Contusions to the head, chest and abdomen may be accompanied by hidden injuries, so consultation with a doctor is required!

Observe the bruise that forms at the site of the injury. If it changes color over time from red through purple, cherry and blue to yellow-green, then everything is fine. If it only turns more purple or swelling and pain intensify, then suppuration may begin - consult a doctor immediately.

Dislocations(persistent displacement of the ends of the bones that make up any joint) occur during a fall, impact, and sometimes during awkward movement. Sharp pain appears at the time of injury and intense pain in the first hours after it. Normal movements in the joint become impossible. The joint is deformed, its outline is changed in comparison with a healthy one.

First aid should be aimed at reducing pain and delaying the development of swelling. To do this, cold is applied to the joint and the limb is fixed (the arm is hung on a scarf, bandaged to the chest; and the leg is covered with soft objects and left in the position in which it finds itself). Then it is necessary to urgently transport the victim to the emergency room or hospital. Under no circumstances should you attempt to correct a dislocation yourself if you do not have the appropriate knowledge and skills.

A bone fracture is a violent violation of its integrity. Fractures can be closed - without breaking the skin and open - with their rupture. A fracture will be indicated by acute pain in the affected limb, which intensifies at the slightest attempt to move it. Because of this, movements become impossible. Externally, the limb has an unnatural shape due to changes in its axis and shortening (usually) as a result of muscle contraction. With open fractures there is always a wound in which the end of a bone fragment is sometimes visible.

First aid is to ensure fixation and rest of the broken limb. Build a tire from what you have at hand - a stick, a board, a large branch. Using a scarf, scarf, or belt, tie it so that the splint covers two adjacent joints. For example, if you have a broken leg bone, apply a splint that covers the knee and ankle joints. This way they will be motionless, and bone fragments will not be able to move, injuring surrounding tissues and causing pain. The splint is especially important when the hip is damaged. If there is nothing nearby that even remotely resembles a future splint, tie (bandage) the injured leg to the healthy one, and the arm in case of a fracture of the humerus to the body. Only after this can the victim be transferred to the car and sent to the hospital.

In conclusion, I would like to wish all of us not to fall into such situations. And remember that your health is, first of all, in your hands. Be careful on the roads!

Winter is one of the busiest working seasons for traumatologists. In icy conditions, many people slip and fall. Then they undergo long, difficult, painful and expensive treatment. Wouldn't it be better to take steps to prevent winter injuries?

Most common winter injuries

Damage to the ankle joint. They can occur both directly during a fall and when trying to stay on the ice. These can be sprains and ruptures of ligaments, dislocations and subluxations of joints. Usually, if a person does not fall, he believes that everything is fine and does not seek medical help, which leads to a deterioration in the condition and problems with the musculoskeletal system.
Injuries to the wrist joint occur when falling on straight arms. A fracture of the lower third of the radius is considered a classic injury.
Fractures of the humerus are characteristic of falls on the outstretched elbow.
A fracture of the femoral neck or femur is a typical example of a winter injury in older people. Such fractures take a long time to heal and often require rehabilitation in a medical clinic.
Head injuries. At best, if a person falls in winter, he can get by with a bruise to the soft tissues of the head (popularly known as a “bump”). Brain damage is very dangerous. Winter injuries are often accompanied by concussions. Brain contusions and skull fractures are possible. Such injuries are life-threatening if qualified medical care is not received in a timely manner.

What should you do to avoid falling?

Prevention of winter injuries begins with the selection of comfortable clothes and shoes. You are much more likely to fall when wearing stiletto heels than boots with heels.
It is better to choose winter shoes that suit your feet, with ribbed soles. If you can’t purchase practical shoes, then you can install special rubber pads on the soles of ordinary shoes and boots.
Tight skirts, jeans that restrict movement - all this does not allow a person to maintain balance on a slippery surface. In the same way, you can get confused in long skirts or wide trousers.
Bulky hoods and wide hats block part of the field of vision and do not allow a person to quickly navigate a dangerous situation. Of course, this does not mean that hats or hoods should be abandoned in winter. But you need to choose them so that you can clearly see the surrounding objects in front of you and on the sides of you.
Prevention of childhood injuries in winter also begins with clothing. All parents want their babies to be warmly dressed. Quite often, such a desire leads to the fact that the child is “wrapped up” in several layers of clothing, and it becomes difficult for him to move. If the child is not comfortable, he falls and can stretch, break or dislocate something. Therefore, it is best to give preference to clothes that are both light and warm.
Many people cannot imagine life without winter sports. Skis, snowboards, skates - all this is very interesting, but traumatic. You need to start mastering these sports with classes with a professional instructor. It will teach you how to fall correctly and protect you from injuries in the first days of training.
During winter sports there is a risk of damage to the knee joints. To protect yourself from serious illnesses, you must immediately seek medical help, even after a minor fall.
Avoid alcohol before going out. Any alcoholic drinks warm you up for a short time. The danger of this effect is that a person ceases to feel the moment when he begins to freeze. As a result, drinking a glass of strong drink to warm up and going outside can lead to hypothermia. In addition, lack of coordination can cause you to fall and get injured. Therefore, it is better to move around the street sober in winter. To warm up, you should drink hot tea, not vodka.

How to fall correctly?

Many people love New Year, Christmas, and enjoy the snow in winter. Few people want to slip on ice and get a fracture, but it still happens sometimes.

Knowing how to fall correctly protects a person from broken limbs and brain injuries. Typically, professional instructors in any sport teach first the art of falling, and only then the basics of skill. If such a lesson has not been learned, you need to remember a few rules:

When falling on your back, you need to quickly group yourself, tilt your chin to your chest and try to fall on your side.
When falling forward, you also need to try to group yourself and fall on your side. If this is not possible (for example, when a person stumbles), you can put your hands forward, “cushion” them, but do not transfer all the weight to them.
When falling with your arms forward, you do not need to put your palms out. It is best to fall on your forearms without putting any weight on them.

What to do if you fall?

Even a trained athlete does not always manage to avoid injury. What can we say then about those who are far from sports!

If a person slips and falls on the street in winter, you must first assess the situation. In the case where the fall occurred on the spine or head, there is no need to try to stand up on your own or lift a person if someone has fallen before your eyes. You must call an ambulance immediately. Even if a person is cold, but has hit his head or back, you should not lift him, turn him over, or move him.

If you fall, if deformation of the limbs is visible or sharp pain is felt, you do not need to immediately stand up sharply. First you need to call an ambulance and fix the injured limb.

Effective injury prevention in winter depends mainly on yourself. Before going out, you need to carefully select your clothes and shoes, remember basic safety rules, and also remember where the nearest emergency room is. Just in case - you never know! Such recommendations will help maintain health and good mood during the winter.

Glazkov Yuri Konstantinovich – traumatologist-orthopedist, joint doctor, candidate of medical sciences, full member of ESSKA, AAOS, ASTAOR, ATOR. Leading specialist in the field of sports traumatology and joint treatment, opinion leader in surgical treatment of the knee joint at Johnson & Johnson, leading expert in conservative treatment of joints at Rusvisk. Area of professional interests: prevention of sports injuries and treatment of injuries of large joints. Proficient in the method of arthroscopy - treatment of joints through punctures. Regularly gives lectures, conducts on-site master classes and courses for advanced training of traumatologists. Serves as a regular expert in well-known media. More than 10 years of experience.

It so happens that winter takes many by surprise. The first snow always comes as a surprise to city utilities, and the streets become like an ice skating rink. This situation creates a risk of winter injuries.

This article is intended for persons over 18 years of age

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The main reasons for visits to emergency rooms in winter are simple inattention, inability to fall, shoes not suitable for the weather, and streets not cleared of ice and snow in a timely manner. People are in a hurry in icy conditions and do not notice the ice under the snow.

Elderly people are especially likely to suffer from injuries. With age, bone fragility increases, the elasticity of ligaments and muscles decreases, and even a minor blow leads to limb fractures. Therefore, you need to be careful and, just in case, have a remedy that will help with injury.

The “leaders” of street falls are bruises, broken bones, dislocations, sprained arms and legs. The main age category of those injured in winter are men from 20 to 50 and women from 30 to 60 years old, that is, the working-age part of the population.

The most common winter injuries are mainly the following:

ankle joint - happens when you fall or try to stand on ice. We are talking about dislocations, subluxations, sprains, ligament ruptures;
wrist joint - when falling on straight arms;
fracture of the humerus - when falling on an outstretched elbow;
A fracture of the femoral neck or femur is a typical injury for older people. Such fractures are very complex and require long-term recovery in hospital;
Head injuries are the most dangerous to health. A fall can result in a concussion, brain contusion, or skull fracture.

Dislocations, sprains and bruises can be smeared with special products that help relieve swelling and pain. For example, it restores damaged areas and speeds up the rehabilitation period.

First aid: cream-balm “Spetsmaz”

Winter injuries in children: first aid

Winter is a period not only of fun games and slides, but also of increased injuries in children. Being carried away by the game, children forget about safety. Therefore, adults have another responsibility: to be especially attentive to children.

The most common childhood injuries:

bruise is a very common childhood injury. First aid is provided in the form of applying cold to the bruised area;
dislocation - here you can no longer do anything on your own, you can only fix it with a bandage, and then urgently go to a specialist;
head injury - here, too, it is better to do without amateur activities and urgently consult a doctor. Do not let your child pass out or fall asleep;
sprain - it is necessary to place the child in a horizontal position, apply cold to the sore spot, then wrap it with a bandage. It is necessary to go to the emergency room for a more accurate diagnosis;
fracture - you need to fix the limb above and below the damaged area, apply cold, then immediately call an ambulance;
sticking of the tongue to the metal - it is strictly forbidden to “tear off” the child. First of all, you need to calm the baby. Then we fix his head and pour warm water on his tongue. At home, we treat the damage with hydrogen peroxide, and if there is bleeding, we clamp the wound with a sterile swab. If the bleeding does not stop within 20 minutes, seek medical help immediately.

An important skill during winter injuries is the ability to fall correctly. The main cause of limb fractures is a person’s inability to group themselves correctly and choose a good position for falling. At an instinctive level, we throw our straight arm forward when we fall, and in order to maintain our balance, we try to put our leg forward or to the side. In this case, the entire body weight falls on the “thrown out” limbs, which leads to a fracture.

Learn to fall correctly. At the moment of falling, it is important to tense your muscles as much as possible in time, group yourself - hunch into a “ball”, pull your head into your shoulders, press your elbows to your sides, straighten your back, and bend your legs slightly and turn to the side.

To reduce the risk of falling, you need to follow a number of rules:

wear low-top shoes with ribbed soles or low square heels;
when walking, step on the entire sole;
walk slowly;
choose comfortable clothes. Long outerwear, skirts or wide pants increase the chances of getting tangled in them and falling.

Preventing childhood injuries also starts with clothing. All parents try to dress their child warmly, and very often they wrap the child up. This limits children's mobility and may cause them to fall. Wear light but warm clothing. Also choose shoes that are comfortable, fit properly, and have rubber soles.

It is important for parents that the winter festivities are not overshadowed by childhood trauma and sobs. Make every effort to keep your child safe. First of all, you need to choose comfortable clothes and shoes. The cap should be tied so that if it falls, it does not fall off the head and can soften the blow. The scarf must be tied not long so that the child does not accidentally get caught. Be sure to wear mittens or gloves on your hands.

Do not walk under the roofs of houses to protect yourself from falling icicles. Avoid roads that are covered with ice. Teach your child to fall correctly - on his side, without putting his arms forward, in a group, bending his legs. Before a walk, lubricate your face with protective cream.

Do not allow people to ride down the slide in front of a large group of children. Teachers talk to children in preschool educational institutions about injuries, tell them how to behave in different weather conditions, and teach safety rules. Take on the role of educator: tell the same thing to your child at home, because, as they say, repetition is the mother of learning.

To protect yourself and your child from winter injuries, you need to have certain knowledge yourself and teach your child these rules. There are certain instructions for preventing winter injuries. Taking care of the safety of your loved ones, you can create such a reminder yourself. It should contain the main rules for winter walks:

do not try to take shortcuts through bodies of water;
do not walk under the roofs of buildings;
to ride a sled down a hill, you need to sit straight on it (without hanging your limbs) and see if there are any obstacles on the way;
when crossing the road, make sure that there are no cars nearby and that you have enough time to cross - running on a slippery road will not end well;
in any case, you should avoid fast, sudden movements - walk slowly, leave the house in advance;
When going up or down the stairs, take your time and place your foot along the step so as not to slip.

These are the basic rules that will help you avoid winter injuries. Based on your own observations, you can add others, the main thing is to remember - your safety is in your hands (and feet, for that matter)!

With the onset of winter, street injuries more than doubled seasonally. According to statistics, “winter” injuries account for up to 15% of morbidity with temporary disability and cause disability in 20%. Due to the condition of the roadways, road traffic injuries in winter increase to 3% compared to the usual 1%. At the same time, they become not only more frequent, but also more severe - often fatal.

How to fall “correctly”?

If you fall on your back, press your chin to your chest and spread your arms as wide as possible. This will protect you from traumatic brain injury.

How to prevent possible injuries?

It is advisable to wear shoes with flat soles or low square heels. It is better if the sole has large ribs that do not slip.

Elderly people, who are most susceptible to injury, are recommended to attach special “anti-icing” pads to the soles of their usual shoes. They can be purchased at appropriate retail outlets.

You should follow safety precautions when engaging in extreme sports, use all necessary protective accessories (elbow pads, knee pads, helmets, etc.).

How to provide first aid correctly?

The essence of first aid depends on the type of injury

Injury. This is the most common type of injury and occurs when struck by a hard, blunt object. Pain, usually mild, occurs at the moment of impact or shortly after it. Swelling forms relatively quickly, and bruising appears after a few hours. In case of deep tissue injury, it may appear after 2–3 days. The function of the bruised limb in the form of limited movements is slightly impaired.

Contusions to the head, chest and abdomen may be accompanied by hidden injuries, so consultation with a doctor is required!

Dislocations (persistent displacement of the ends of the bones that make up any joint) occur during a fall, impact, and sometimes during awkward movement. Sharp pain appears at the time of injury and intense pain in the first hours after it. Normal movements in the joint become impossible. The joint is deformed, its outline is changed in comparison with a healthy one.

In conclusion, I would like to wish all of us not to fall into such situations. And remember that your health is, first of all, in your hands. Be careful on the roads!

In the autumn-winter period, the number of street injuries associated with falls increases significantly, especially during icy conditions. Either above-zero air temperatures or frosts cause the formation of ice and ice on sidewalks and roads.

According to statistics, the number of street injuries doubles in winter. Traumatologists are especially in demand on so-called “ice days,” when the number of visits to emergency rooms reaches a maximum. In general, according to statistics, “winter” injuries account for up to 15% of morbidity with temporary disability.

The most common are fractures of the radius, ankles and collarbone, bruises of the humerus, fractures of the shin bones and damage to the ligamentous apparatus of the ankle and knee joints, and traumatic brain injuries.

Due to the age-related characteristics of the skeleton, elderly people often receive very serious injuries - even a small blow can cause them a fracture. Most often they break the spine and femoral neck. In 95 percent of cases, a hip fracture occurs in women, as they are prone to osteoporosis (brittle bones).

In winter, bruises and bone fractures (about 15%) and dislocations (about 10%) predominate. The victims are predominantly of working age (about 80%). Children under 18 make up 2%, and people over 60 make up about 8%.

Factors influencing injury rates can be divided into external and internal. The first group includes ecology, the condition of habitats, work areas, recreation areas, sidewalks, roadways, and the serviceability of machines and mechanisms. Internal are compliance with safety precautions, principles of safe living, traffic rules, and principles of a sober lifestyle.

A common cause of ice injuries is haste. Many people simply do not notice the ice covered with snow, as a result of which they fall and receive various injuries. The most traumatic places are icy ones: paving slabs, steps of entrances and underground passages. In addition, a significant proportion of injuries are associated with public transport. They slip and fall both when entering and exiting a bus or trolleybus. Children and youth love to take a running start on a slippery path or slide. In this case, they usually get off with bruises. But not always.

Quite often, people get ice fractures while intoxicated. This is due to weakening of their muscle tone. Moreover, being “under the influence”, a person can ignore pain for some time, even with a serious injury. Thus, he misses the opportunity to see a doctor in a timely manner.

How to prevent possible injuries?

Preventing injuries falls under the umbrella of injury prevention. To prevent winter injuries, you must follow these simple rules:

Choose the right shoes. It is advisable to purchase shoes with a deep tread pattern, the elements of which are directed in different directions. The preferred sole material is thermoplastic elastomer. The polyurethane tread glides much more in the cold.

You can glue pieces of sandpaper to the soles of existing slippery boots or boots. A very simple option is an adhesive plaster. It won't last long, but it will help ensure stability even in the most severe ice conditions.

It is better for the fair sex to avoid wearing heels in slippery weather. After all, the larger the area of contact of the sole with the ground, the more stable our position. That is why you should step on ice with your entire foot at once. You need to move slowly, in small steps, your legs should be relaxed, the center of gravity shifted slightly forward. If possible, it is advisable not to carry anything in your hands; you should also not keep them in your pockets. Hands help maintain balance.

Fall right . Try to sit down (reduce the height of the fall), group (pull your chin to your chest, press your elbows to your sides, your hands to your stomach). A fall on straight arms is almost always an injury (fracture, dislocation, ligament rupture).

Slippery stairs are a high-risk area. If we fall, we need to protect our face and head with our hands. If we fall on our back, then we press our chin to our chest and spread our arms wide. This will help protect against traumatic brain injury.

If you lose your balance, you need to group and turn to the side. In this case, the impact will be on the side surface of the body.

You can practice these exercises at home to build muscle memory. When walking down the street, especially on icy days, control your every step.

Safety precautions should be observed when engaging in extreme sports , use all necessary protective accessories (elbow pads, knee pads, helmets, etc.). It is important to teach your child to follow safety precautions when skiing, skating, and sledding. Don't forget to provide your children with all the necessary protective equipment. Adults need to be able to provide first aid to a child.

Never walk on the edge of the sidewalk next to the roadway. Also, when waiting for the bus, do not stand at the edge of the stop. Losing balance in this position threatens not just a fall, but also the danger of being run over by wheels. Do not under any circumstances cross the roadway. It is better to lose a few minutes and calmly cross the street in the absence of cars than to find yourself helplessly lying in the middle of the road. Remember the drivers too. Stopping a car in icy conditions, even at low speeds, is not easy. Therefore, when approaching a pedestrian crossing, do not rush to enter the roadway, wait until the cars stop moving.

Following these simple rules during icy conditions will significantly reduce the number of injuries.

First aid for injury

Cold and rest are first aid for all injuries. By rest we mean immobility of the injured limb. It is necessary to fix the damaged joint, or two joints adjacent to the fracture site. That is, you need to fix the arm or leg in order to immobilize it and prevent further injury. By the way, this also reduces pain.

And cold is a spasm of blood vessels, therefore reducing swelling and trauma to soft tissues. And, of course, cold is a reduction in pain. Further actions are transportation to a medical facility to provide professional assistance.

Prepared by specialists from the public health department of the State Institution RCGEiOZ.

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