Ways to walk confidently this winter and avoid fall related injuries

For those of you that missed our FB post for the winner of the Valentine’s Day contest, the winner is…

Bruno S. of Newburyport with a guess of 328. 
 
There were 327 pieces of candy in the jar. Not bad Bruno!!

Thank you to all who participated in our Valentine’s Day Candy Contest, we hope you all had a very happy Valentines Day!
   
And if you find yourself slipping on the ice to keep up with your special Valentine, then read on….

As February turns to March and the New England winter dulls down, we are much more likely to be venturing out of the house. Whether it be to run errands or just to get some exercise and breath in the fresh air it is important to make sure you are equipped with the proper footwear. The snow and slush outside may be melting now, but it only takes one night of cool temperatures to turn that run off into dangerously slick black ice.

In 2016 a team of engineers at the University of Toronto tested 98 different types of winter boots using what they called the “Maximum Achievable Angle” testing method. Participants wearing the shoes to be tested, were asked to walk up and down progressively angled ramps covered in ice (both fully frozen and partially melting). Each shoe was evaluated for slip resistance and given a rating. Shoes that prevented slipping with the ramp set at an angle of at least 7 degrees were awarded a rating of one snowflake. Two snowflakes were awarded for non-slippage at 11 degrees, and three snowflakes for 15 degrees. Of the shoes initially tested only 8 were awarded a rating of at least 1 snowflake.

Things have gone uphill in recent years however, with 65% of footwear tested in 2019 getting at least one snowflake. Two types of soles mentioned for best ice traction were Arctic Grip which incorporates hard grit into rubber soles, and Green Diamond which contains microscopic glass fibers. Looking for brands that incorporate both technologies will give ideal protection on both hard and wet ice. Another option, one we recommend here in our own clinic, is a product called Yak Trax – which can be conveniently attached to the exterior of your current footwear to add traction in all kinds of slippery terrain.

Check out this article to learn more ways to walk confidently this winter and avoid fall related injuries:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/22/well/live/snow-ice-safety.html