Every year, thousands and thousands of people end up seeking treatment for sports-related injuries. It’s been said that there’s a sport for every season and an injury for every sport. And that certainly rings true as it relates to injuries that are the result of people participating in winter sports.

In other parts of the country where colder temperatures and snow are common, skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, tubing, sledding and tobogganing claim thousands of “victims” every year. While those activities carry inherent risks that may lead to an injury, even the relatively milder sports that people engage in within the borders of Texas can cause people to suffer injuries.

Ice Hockey and Football

Despite Texas’ comparatively moderate climate, many people in the state still enjoy slapping on their skates, putting on their helmets and pads, grabbing their sticks and hitting the nearest rink to play ice hockey. It’s common for hockey players to suffer from shoulder, wrist, dental and head injuries. A shoulder injury may involve a broken clavicle or an AC joint separation while wrist injuries typically range from sprains to fractures.

Football is a popular sport in Texas just like it is throughout the nation. With a football season often extending into winter, the sport sends casualties in search of medical assistance ever year. Concussions and knee and ankle injuries are common in football.

Basketball, Volleyball and Tennis

People who play basketball and volleyball during the winter are at risk for suffering meniscus tears. This type of injury is common in court sports and it results in damage to the tissue in a person’s knee. Basketball and volleyball players may suffer from Patellar tendonitis, which is also known as “jumper’s knee.” This injury occurs when the tendon that attaches your kneecap to your shinbone is torn.

Tennis players are usually passionate about the game they love. Unfortunately, loving tennis won’t make you immune to the injuries the game can cause. Ankle sprains, rotator cuff tears, stress fractures and “tennis” elbow are common injuries in tennis.

Tips to Prevent Injuries

Just because winter sports have some risks, it doesn’t mean you’re destined to get hurt when you participate in them. Here are some of the things you can do to guard against being injured:

• Keep in good physical shape
• Warm up before you start to play
• Wear protective gear and make sure it’s working properly before you engage in winter sports
• Drink water to stay hydrated
• If you experience pain or you are too tired to continue playing safely, stop

Orthopedic Sports Care at Methodist McKinney Hospital

If you’re injured playing sports during the winter, spring, summer or fall, you can find the care you need at Methodist McKinney Hospital. From emergency care to imaging, surgical and physical and occupational therapy services, the doctors, nurses and technicians at Methodist McKinney Hospital do them all and much, much more to restore patients to good condition.

To learn about the orthopedic sports care services we provide, we encourage you to contact our facility. If you’re in need of immediate medical attention, head to Methodist McKinney Hospital now.