Winter Workplace Hazards: Treating Pain from Ice-Related Injuries

Winter in Illinois is cold. And cold means ice. While Chicago sees less snow than other Great Lakes cities like Buffalo or Cleveland, freeze/thaw cycles are common here, which means ice is often an issue. 

At Advanced Spine & Pain Specialists, we see our share of ice-related workplace injuries. Since we’re specialists in workplace injuries, we’re your first call for treatment and Illinois workers’ compensation reporting. 

Today, we’ll discuss the most common ice-related injuries. We’ll also examine the treatment options.

Wrist and hand injuries

When you fall, it’s natural to attempt to break your fall with your hands. Unfortunately, that overloads your wrist, which can result in fractures, sprains, or strains. 

A strain or mild sprain may be something you can shake off, but a more severe sprain or fracture is painful. But how do you know if your injury is serious?  

First, look for any deformity or distortion at the wrist joint. If something looks off or out of place, you likely have a fracture and need prompt medical attention. If your wrist looks normal, the most likely cause is a sprain, which can often respond well to home care. 

Treat a sprain with the RICE protocol: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Use your hand as little as possible and ice your wrist on a 20-minute on/20-minute off schedule to minimize pain and inflammation. 

A brace or compression bandage can reduce swelling and protect the injured arm. Keep your arm elevated when possible. 

Use over-the-counter pain medications to control your discomfort. If your symptoms don’t improve in a few days, visit us to rule out a more serious injury. 

Ankle injuries

Ankle injuries are common after a slip and fall on ice. If you can put some weight on your foot after an incident, it’s probably (but not always) a sprain. If you have a severe sprain or fracture, you won’t be able to walk. 

Use the same treatment protocol as outlined above. If your symptoms do not improve after a few days or worsen, seek medical attention. 

Back and spine injuries

Back pain from a slip on ice is usually muscle-related. It often resolves in 1-2 days. More severe back injuries are possible, so book an appointment if your symptoms don’t improve. 

Elbows and knees

Serious injury to these joints often results in severe swelling. If you can move the joint without tingling or numbness, the injury is probably minor. Stay comfortable by taking pain medication and monitoring the injury. 

Tailbone and hips

There’s not much that can be done about a bruised or broken tailbone other than to control pain and wait for your body to heal. It usually takes 2-6 weeks. Seek medical care if a tailbone injury causes numbness or tingling in your legs. 

If you fall on your hip but can still walk, you likely have a bruise. You won’t be able to walk with a hip fracture. Seek emergency care immediately if you have a hip fracture because prompt surgery improves your prognosis. 

Contact Advanced Spine & Pain Specialists for workplace injuries, including ice-related events. Book your visit online or by phone today.