Being on crutches any time of the year is hard, but being on crutches in the winter can be brutal. During your recovery, you will want to listen to the advice your doctor gives you. Here are 4 things your doctor wants you to know about winter on crutches.
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It’s dangerous
Being on crutches at any time of the year can be dangerous. You can slip in a puddle, trip over a cord, or catch an uneven piece of pavement at any time of the year. But being on crutches during the winter months is downright treacherous. Your doctor will want you to know how to operate the crutches with confidence so that you can adjust to the snow and ice conditions that may cause you extra trouble.
It’s time-consuming
Getting anywhere on crutches takes time, but when it is snowy outside, you will want to take extra care and extra time to get through the snowy path safely. Whenever you go somewhere, plan extra time to travel from your car into your new location. While you won’t want to be out in the cold any longer than necessary, it’s impossible to rush yourself when you are on crutches.
It’s depressing
Sometimes, when the snow and ice really pile up, it’s simply easier to stay home. Getting out on crutches can be too hard or dangerous on certain winter days. When that happens, you may find yourself with a case of the winter blues. Your doctor wants you to have things in place to help you combat this type of depression. Find some activities to kill the time at home and some friends to help brighten your day. It’s hard to give up the things you love to do, but when you are recovering, some of those much-loved activities are not worth the risk of re-injury.
It has recovery advantages
Sure, getting out on crutches is hard. But your recovery can actually be easier in the winter. Why? Because in the winter, there are not as many events for you to covet. It’s easier to stay home and rest! And resting is the best thing for your recovery process at times. So while going out may be harder in the winter, holding yourself back from the activities you love is easier.
It is hard to go through recovery at any time of the year, but if you follow your doctor’s advice and your own common sense, you’ll get through the winter months on one foot. And then you can enter the spring and summer activities fully recovered!
