Stick to low heels in the winter months

PHILADELPHIA - Nov. 28, 2016 - PRLog -- When dressing up for a holiday social event, it's tempting to reach for a pair of high-heeled boots or pumps. But as fashionable as they may look, high heels can also increase a woman's risk of slipping and falling on ice- and snow-covered ground.

"High heels are risky on dry ground in August, let alone an icy sidewalk in December," says Brett Sweitzer, MD, attending orthopedic surgeon at Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia and Einstein Medical Center Montgomery. "A woman in a shoe with a tall, spiked heel and a narrow toe is automatically at higher risk for slips and falls. That risk only increases when you're dealing with slippery winter surfaces."

Falls can contribute to many injuries, including broken or sprained ankles, torn ligaments, or injury to the toe or heels. Dr. Sweitzer says that it's possible to break and sprain the ankle at the same time or to break multiple parts of the foot during such a fall. "It's not uncommon to see a patient with a broken ankle and heel or toes," he says. "And these things only get worse in the winter months."

To help prevent injuries, Dr. Sweitzer recommends that women opt for low-heeled boots—even better, stick with flat-heeled shoes or boots with wide, slip-resistant soles. Stay alert for patches of black ice or places where ice is covered with snow, and walk around puddles that may collect on floor mats near building entrances, he advises.

"If you slip and fall, it's crucial to seek treatment immediately—regardless of where or why you fell," Dr. Sweitzer says. "Even if you're able to walk on the injured foot, be on the lookout for pain, swelling, and bruising that may point to a serious injury."

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About Einstein Healthcare Network

Einstein Healthcare Network is a leading healthcare system with approximately 1,000 licensed beds and 8,500 employees serving the communities of Philadelphia and Montgomery County, Pa.  Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia is the largest independent academic medical center in the Philadelphia region annually training over 3,500 health professional students and 400 residents in more than 30 accredited programs.  Einstein also provides a comprehensive range of healthcare services through Einstein Medical Center Montgomery, Einstein Medical Center Elkins Park, MossRehab, Willowcrest, patient care centers, and a network of more than 700 primary care physicians and specialists throughout the region.  For more information, visit www.einstein.edu or call 1-800-EINSTEIN.