I love this time of year. Halloween speaks to the inner child in everyone. Thanksgiving fuses some of my biggest passions; football, food, and family. Christmas has always been special, and it has taken on added importance now that I have children of my own.
Unfortunately, my recent weekend of emergency department call has highlighted a downside of the season. With the wet weather, our landscape changes which places our musculoskeletal health in unique jeopardy.
The rain makes our urban landscape a much more treacherous place. The many painted surfaces of our streets and sidewalks are particularly slippery when wet as are the manhole covers and various metal coverings that we encounter as pedestrians. So please exercise caution when walking around our fair city, especially with arms full of gifts and packages.
When we escape to more rugged spaces for some outdoor fun, similar problems arise. While the splash and squelch from the newly formed mud and puddles add pure fun to your normal path and trails, they also inexorably change them. You may not have the same traction or footing. Slipping and falling becomes almost a certainty. I am not saying that you shouldn’t blast throw the mud or leap from tree root to rock, but situational awareness can make the difference between a good story and a trip to the emergency department. And always wear appropriate protective equipment.
But should you find yourself in need of orthopedic care, we would be glad to see you in timely fashion. Please enjoy a safe and happy holiday season.
-Robert J. Purchase, MD
