Frostbite Warning on Icy Roads Worse Than Severe Cold Wave: "Be Careful Even When Falling"

Many Falls Among Elderly in Winter... Lower Your Body and Shift Weight Forward When Walking

A severe cold wave has covered the roads with ice. Precautions should be taken against not only traffic accidents but also fall injuries.
[Image source=Daedong Hospital]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] The biting cold snap has left icy roads everywhere, making the skill of "rolling" necessary.

The winter phenomenon known as "black ice," often called the "road assassin," occurs when temperatures suddenly drop, causing melted snow on the roads to refreeze into a thin layer of ice. It is cited as a major cause of fatal traffic and fall accidents every winter.

After the severe cold passes, the large temperature fluctuations cause icy roads to repeatedly melt and refreeze, posing a significant threat to pedestrians.

Pedestrians need to be as cautious about black ice as drivers do, especially the elderly, whose bones are fragile and who are more prone to falling.

Every winter, the number of patients visiting emergency rooms due to falls on icy roads surges. According to an analysis by the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service of fracture treatment cases from 2009 to 2013, the months with the highest number of fracture patients were December and January.

During winter, one in five patients receiving treatment had fractures in the forearm, and those aged 70 and above accounted for the largest proportion at 18.1% of all patients.

Most people instinctively put their hands out first when they fall. In such cases, the weight is borne by the wrist and forearm, exposing the bones to injury.

Specialists explain that in winter, reduced sunlight decreases the production of active vitamin D, which helps maintain calcium levels in the body, leading to poor blood circulation and making fractures more likely compared to other seasons.

Fractures are often thought of simply as broken bones, but they can also cause injuries to surrounding muscles, ligaments, and skin, or lead to serious complications that threaten life.

Experts recommend that to prevent fall-related fractures, especially common among the elderly, people should consume sufficient calcium regularly and maintain muscle strength through consistent exercise.

When walking on icy or slippery roads, it is advisable to slightly lean the face forward. For those with severe osteoporosis, treatments to strengthen bone density should be combined.

Fracture treatments are divided into non-surgical and surgical methods. A typical non-surgical treatment is immobilizing the fracture site with a cast. If casting is not possible and surgery is unnecessary, absolute rest must be maintained until the fracture heals.

Surgical options include fixation using metal implants after realigning the fracture and joint replacement using artificial joints. Sometimes arthroscopic surgery is performed. The choice of surgical treatment depends on the specialist’s diagnosis, considering the patient’s fracture condition and age.

Dr. Lim Geuk-pil, head of the Joint Center at Daedong Hospital (orthopedic specialist), advises, “For middle-aged adults over 40 as well as the elderly, it is good to do light barehanded exercises regularly, repeatedly standing up while holding a chair, touching fingertips to toes while standing, and indoor cycling to improve flexibility and muscle strength.” He emphasizes, “Avoid thick clothing that restricts movement to quickly regain balance if slipping, and when walking on slippery roads, avoid putting hands in pockets or carrying heavy loads excessively.”

Dr. Lim also advises, “When falling, it is better to bend the knees and sit down on the spot, lowering the body and keeping the center of gravity forward to prevent serious injuries such as fractures or concussions.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.