Central New York got its first taste of snow in the last week or two, but now that December is upon us, winter activities will soon be in full force. Everyone has a favorite, whether it be sledding, skiing, or snowboarding, but from the rink at Rockefeller Center to a local frozen pond, ice-skating is a classic. However, strapping on the skates may make you prone to a number of injuries, so let’s take a look at some of the most common:

• Ankle sprains: If you are unsteady on your feet, an ankle roll may lead to a sprain, which is when the ligaments surrounding the ankle stretch or tear. To prevent this, choose a supportive pair of ice skates.
• Frostbite: Although your feet may be in socks and ice skates, frostbite can still set in if you are outside for a long period of time. Wear several, thick pairs of socks and change immediately if they get wet.
• Haglund’s deformity: Haglund’s deformity is a bony enlargement on the back of the heel that forms as a result of friction with rigid footwear like ice skates. Inserting a soft gel pad behind your heel will reduce the irritation.
• Lace bite: Lace bite is the term used to describe the pain you feel on the top of your foot when your laces are tied too tightly, which may cut off blood flow and cause an ulcer. Keep your laces loose or insert a gel pad in between your laces and your foot.

The first step in preventing these injuries is to make sure that the ice skates you purchase or rent fit comfortably all around your foot. If you do sustain an ice-skating injury or any other sports injury, you want a board-certified podiatrist like Dr. Ryan L. D’Amico on your side. At Syracuse Podiatry’s Fayetteville office, Dr. D’Amico can treat the above injuries, in addition to bunions, hammertoes, heel pain, and much more. Our wonderful staff is ready to assist you whenever you contact us or call us at (315) 446-3668!