Having helped thousands of patients through a similar event I was confident that I knew how to handle this situation. Prior to surgery I made a checklist of items to make my recovery as easy as possible. Some of these items are time tested and true, while others are more evolving technology. I purchased or rented all of these through FootSourceMD, who I must say are wonderful.

My list:
- Crutches that are spring loaded, In Motion (spring loaded) These are more efficient and more comfortable.
- Turning Leg Caddy
- Cast cover so I could shower- FootSourceMD carries 2 types. Seal Tight or Dry Pro (2 styles). Seal Tight is used for patients to sit while showering and will fit both soft or hard cast – Dry Pro is 100% waterproof and fits hard cast only – great for summer swimming.
- Adjustable Shower Bench so I would not fall over balancing on one leg.
- DonJoy cold therapy- DonJoy IceMan- call FootSourceMD to order.
- TENS unit. This gives a low level electrical current that decreases the pain experienced at the brain. Very helpful
- NMES ( neuromuscular electrical stimulation ) to keep my muscles contracting at a low safe level. This is to minimize the atrophy while I am not on the leg and to potentiate the contractions once I begin my physical therapy
-Compression Socks- 20-30 Compression ribbed socks to keep swelling to a minimum.
- Anti inflammatory medication. I chose Celebrex for its long half life and being easier on my stomach.
- Antibiotics. A short duration after surgery so that my wound remains clean.
- Pain medication; which I took very little of.

Home preparation:
- Pillow by bedside to help elevate
- Be really nice to my wife Diane and my kids Logan and Jenna since I am their captive for awhile.
- Computer and Ipad by couch so that I do not get bored.
- Remove any throw rugs, backpacks & shoes from the house so that I will trip over them on my crutches.

Safety is a big concern for all employers, and Dr. Berlet says that employees need to take it seriously, he is yet to treat a patient twice that has suffered a crushing injury on the job because “It is a painful lesson to learn.”  You can learn more about proper foot protection on the job here: OccupationalHealthSafetyOctober2011FootSourceMD.

In 2007, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported:

-      139,330 injuries from skiing

-      160,000 injuries from sledding

-      133,550 from ice skating

-      53,200 from ice hockey

-      34,500 from snowmobiling

Tips for preventing injuries

1.Warm up and stretch prior to activity

2.Wear appropriate safety gear (helmet, goggles, and warm gear)

3.Get skilled instruction if you are a novice

4.Don’t drink alcohol with winter sport participation

5.Never participate alone

6.Unfortunately, many injuries happen on the last run of the day. When you are tired and sore, just stop and rest!

7.  Have equipment checked annually to make sure it is fully functional

8.  Avoid hazardous weather conditions

9.  Stay alert and have good common sense.

Be safe and have fun from OFAC.

3,000 die annually from falls at home. 30,000 people get injured yearly falling from ladders alone. By taking some simple safety tips, common injuries can be avoided while hanging Christmas decorations.

First, try to pick a day when the weather is less hazardous (not icy) when hanging outdoor lights. Give yourself ample time so you aren’t rushed. Make sure you have a stable and safe ladder. Always have a spotter and climb cautiously. Keep lights away from electric, phone, and cable lines. Be sure the lights are UL or ETL safety approved. It is also very important to wear good supportive shoes with traction.

Good luck and Happy Holidays from OFAC.

With the weather getting cooler and the fall sports seasons starting, there are a lot more injuries. Confusion remains over sprains, strains, and contusions. Excellent resources for these injuries can be found on the internet.

The bottom line is this: if you get injuried, immediately rest and immobilize, ice, compress, and elevate (RICE). Perhaps the most important is to immobilize. As a boy scout (or girl scout) we all recall using a rolled up magazine to splint a sprain. Pain arises as the injured tissues continue to be exposed to movement. By immobilizing a limb, the injured flesh is allowed to rest and begin healing.

Ice, compression, and elevation all help with the swelling but the immobilization is the only intervention that actually begins to help with healing. Contrary to what your buddies may say, dont try to walk it off. It may aggravate the injury.

If the pain is severe or its not improved with time, always seek medical opinion. Urgent care centers, emergency rooms, or a quick phone call to your primary care physician is never wasted time.

95% of all sprains and strains heal without any specialized treatment.

Sprains and strains always involve soft tissue structures such as ligaments or tendons. Contusions generally involve an impact injury and involve bruising of fleshy tissue and in severe cases involve bone bruises.

If the injury hasn’t resolved in a week, medical attention is definitely important. At this point, specialized immobilization may be required. Physical therapy may be required. X-rays at this time are important. Though unusual, there can be subtle fractures, broken bones, or even hairline stress fractures.

With modern advances, the rare 5% that do not heal now have opportunities for advanced sports medicine techniques. Ankle arthroscopy can heal ligaments through small minor punctures in the skin. Lasers and more advanced thermal probes can literally weld ligaments together. What used to take almost a year of recovery can now be repaired in just a few short weeks.

But the most critical time period is the first day after the injury. Remember, Rest and immobilize, Ice, Compress, and Elevate. RICE.