Staying Safe During Summer Activities and Events

The first day of summer is not that far away. With the great weather comes the familiar round of sports, outdoor events like festivals, carnivals, concerts, and vacations. Sunny days and longer times to play, makes summer one of the most enjoyable times of the year. From extended daylight hours to increased outdoor sports and events, summer has a lot to offer.

Unfortunately, it also offers a spike in orthopedic injuries such as broken bones, serious sprains and other activity related injuries. Every year, over 200,000 kids under the age of 14 are sent to local hospital emergency rooms because of activity related injuries, and a whopping 3.5 million injuries occur each summer in the US alone.

Holidays, such as Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, see a corresponding rise in urgent care and emergency room visits due to summer accidents. The most common causes of summer injuries are:

  • Softball and baseball injuries
  • Heat-related injuries
  • Soccer and volleyball related injuries
  • Trampoline injuries
  • ATV, mini-bikes injuries
  • Falls from bicycles and skateboards
  • Swimming, boating and diving injuries and other water sports related injuries
  • Playground injuries

Some of the best ways to protect your family this summer are to follow common-sense safety rules such as wearing safety gear and following local, state and federal laws, as well as manufacturer instructions for safe operation of ATVs, boats, mowers and other lawn and garden equipment, as well as trampolines and bicycles.

Additionally, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and other state and federal agencies issue helpful warnings and advisories each year to promote summer safety awareness. They advise families to watch out for common summer related issues such as heat and sun exposure, water safety, concussions and home and recreational safety.  Summer can be a great time to reconnect with nature and create wonderful memories of family fun. Just remember to play it safe!

 

Be Alert for Signs and Symptoms of Broken Bones and Other Injuries

 

If you or a loved one has suffered a summer injury, ask yourself if any of these symptoms apply:

  • Obvious break or serious sprain (seek immediate medical attention)
  • Pain, tenderness and or bruising
  • Areas that feel hot to the touch (inflammation)
  • Difficulty moving a limb
  • Pain with movement (that may ease with use)
  • Limited range of motion
  • Pain inside the elbow
  • Difficulty standing and or walking
  • A popping or crackling sensation, or sticking of a joint during movement
  • Stiffness, soreness
  • Obvious swelling
  • The bone feels unstable or feels like it is about to pop out of the joint

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you should consult an orthopedic specialist. Orthopedic injuries can be serious and often will not heal on their own. When in doubt, always check it out.

If you or a family member needs exceptional orthopedic care during the summer, or year-round, Lemak Health can help. Get the advanced orthopedic care you need, when you need it. Call 205-397-5200 to make an appointment today.