Ice skating is an excellent form of exercise and a popular winter sport. However, it’s smart to take precautions against getting hurt while you’re on the ice. To help prevent suffering a sports injury while you’re at the rink, use the following tips to stay safe while ice skating:

Tie Laces Properly

Among the most common causes of ice skating-related injuries is failing to lace up ice skates the right way. For individuals who are new to the sport, it can be tempting to leave their skates tied comfortably loose. However, remember to lace up your skates tightly to provide your ankles with more support and help avoid ankle injuries.

Wear Protective Gear

As with any sport, wearing the right gear is important for preventing injuries. To keep yourself safe on the ice, wear a helmet to help protect your head in case you fall. Choose a helmet that fits your head snugly and comfortably so it sits level and allows you to easily look from side to side. Also, wearing wrist guards, knee pads, and elbow pads can help protect your joints if you were to fall, and are especially important for beginning ice skaters.

Practice Stopping Techniques

Falling while trying to stop is a common cause of back and wrist injuries that people sustain while ice skating. For this reason, one of the best things that you can do to help prevent getting hurt on the ice is to learn how to stop and slow down safely while wearing your ice skates. If it’s been a while since you went ice skating or if you’re a complete beginner, then taking the time to learn these skills should be considered essential. Start by moving slowly, pushing your foot down, and turning your blades sideways to come to a safe stop.

Able Orthopedic & Sports Medicine can treat a broad range of injuries to help keep you moving this season. If you’ve suffered a sports injury in Queens, then please give us a call today at (347) 537-2404 to schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedists.