Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute of New Jersey Encourages Winter Safety

FREEHOLD, N.J., Jan. 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Extreme weather and the rigors of the holidays are among several factors that make many more vulnerable to orthopedic injuries, say representatives from Freehold based orthopedic practice Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute. The New Jersey orthopedic specialists note that, in addition to many risk factors for sustaining traumatic bone injuries, conditions like osteoarthritis, herniated disks, and carpal tunnel can become exacerbated by common seasonal activities, like food preparation or travelling with heavy baggage.

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"Lots of us want to hit the ground running in the New Year. Physical fitness goals consistently top the most popular New Year's resolutions--plus plenty of people feel rushed to catch up at work after the holidays. While these are good things to aim for in general, they may cause us to ignore symptoms that started over the holidays, and over-exert ourselves at a time when it's especially crucial to exercise some caution," says James F. Cozzarelli, MD, FAAOS, an orthopedic surgeon at AOSMI. Dr. Cozzarelli adds that seeking medical treatment now can help prevent conditions or injuries from worsening, and that even healthy individuals should take extra precautions to avoid potentially injurious accidents--particularly given the predictions for how El Niño may affect the region.

El Niño, a weather phenomenon that often leads to extreme weather events, adds an additional element of risk to the season ahead. Snowstorms and ice set the stage for falls, while snow shoveling and other winter maintenance chores can lead to back pain and other issues. It may be hard to be concerned with snow and ice with the current warm weather but AOSMI representatives encourage checking weather forecasts frequently, as El Niño is sometimes associated with sudden changes.

Other recommendations from the orthopedic specialists include warming up before partaking in any strenuous chores or other outdoor activities, checking soles of boots and replacing any that have worn down, and assessing your overall physical fitness. Persons over 65 years of age and those who've had major orthopedic surgery, such as a knee replacement, are highly encouraged to consider physical therapy to help build strength and balance and avoid falls.

AOSMI offers a variety of free resources on seasonal safety tips via the practice's patient education portal at http://advancedorthosports.com/patient-education/ and the AOSMI blog, at http://advancedorthosports.com/patient-education/. AOSMI subsidiary sites offer additional resources. A complete list of AOSMI subsidiary sites can be found at http://advancedorthosports.com/introducing-the-aosmi-subsidiary-mini-sites/. For further information, or to request an appointment, call 732.720.2555.

Brittany Maynard 
Marketing Coordinator, AOSMI 
732-720-2555 

SOURCE Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute of New Jersey