Winter slip injuries increase sharply — learn what gets injured most, when fractures are likely, and how clinics treat them.

Winter Falls: What Hurts Most and Why

By MADI-BONE CLINIC — Gangnam (Seolleung Station)

Sudden Cold Wave — and a Surge in Injuries

The temperature dropped rapidly this week — and with it came noticeably more fall-related injuries.
Winter weather naturally brings cold conditions, but when snow piles or ice forms,
the risk of slipping rises sharply.
At MADI-BONE CLINIC, we saw multiple patients this week requiring fracture evaluation after simple slips outdoors.

This article describes:

why winter falls happen more frequently
what body regions get injured most often
how we evaluate fractures
which treatments help recovery

Why Winter Falls Are So Common

Several factors combine during winter to make falls more frequent:

Reduced joint mobility due to thick clothing
Scarves, masks or hats limiting peripheral vision
Hidden ice patches across sidewalks or steps
Cold-induced muscle stiffness reducing reaction time

Even healthy young adults can fall when movement is obstructed or the ground is slippery.

Even minor slips can result in fractures, especially in the wrist or ankle.
Winter Fall Injury Study

Where Patients Hurt Most After Falls

Based on clinical patterns, the most commonly affected areas include:

wrist (Colles-type injury) — instinctive fall protection
ankle sprains or fractures — twisting on impact
elbow contusion
hip or pelvis pain — landing sideward

Patients often report:

difficulty weight-bearing
pain with gripping or pushing
swelling that progresses over hours

Should You Worry About a Fracture?

Pain alone doesn’t confirm fracture — but certain red flags do:

sharp, localized bone pain
swelling that worsens rather than subsides
inability to bear weight or move
visible deformity

In these cases, do not wait — early evaluation prevents delayed healing or deformity.

How Fractures Are Diagnosed

The gold standard imaging for fracture detection is CT scanning.
However, many winter fractures can be identified through simple X-rays.

Our evaluation process typically includes:

detailed movement and mechanism history
palpation to map tenderness
X-ray image review
CT recommendation if suspicion persists

If There Is No Fracture — What Treatment Helps?

Fortunately, many winter injuries do not involve fractures
but cause significant soft-tissue pain.
Treatment depends on severity:

1. High-frequency Deep Heating Therapy

Used to reduce deep tissue pain and stiffness.

2. Cryotherapy

Applies localized cooling to manage swelling or acute pain.

3. Shockwave Therapy

Promotes blood vessel formation and tendon regeneration.

At MADI-BONE CLINIC, plans are individualized based on pain intensity,
functional restriction, age and injury mechanism.

Why the Wrist Gets Injured So Often

The instinct to “catch” oneself while falling overloads the wrist.
This frequently results in:

sprains
tiny avulsion fractures
TFCC irritation

$Wrist fracture imaging commonly seen after winter falls$

Why the Ankle Is Vulnerable

Hidden ice forces the foot into unexpected inversion or eversion.
Even without fracture, ligament tears can occur.
Proper rest, protection, and rehab exercises reduce long-term instability.

How We Manage Winter Slip Injuries at MADI-BONE CLINIC

We assess:

fracture risk
tendon or ligament involvement
movement impairment

Treatments commonly recommended include:

immobilization if instability exists
shockwave therapy for tendon recovery
exercise therapy for balance and rehab

Internal Links — Related Education

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. When should I suspect a fracture after a fall?

Severe swelling, visible deformity, inability to bear weight or ongoing sharp pain warrant evaluation.

2. Do I need imaging even if I can walk?

Yes — some fractures allow walking initially but worsen without treatment.

3. When is shockwave useful for winter injury recovery?

Shockwave helps when chronic tendon irritation develops or healing stalls.

MADI-BONE CLINIC (Seolleung Station)

MADI-BONE CLINIC
3F, 428 Seolleung-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Seolleung Station Exit 1 — 3 minutes on foot
02-736-2626
⏰ Mon–Fri 09:30–18:30 / Sat 09:30–13:00