Ways to Reduce the Likelihood of Orthopedic Injuries

Orthopedic injuries can hit anyone, whether you’re a hard-training athlete or a hardworking employee spending the better part of their day sitting in front of their computer.

Accidents cause many orthopedic-related injuries, like in the case of athletes who land badly on the floor or field after a play. 

However, some musculoskeletal injuries happen due to repetitive stress. Bad posture while sitting, standing for hours working at a supermarket checkout, or non-stop use of your mouse while working are just some of the repetitive activities that cause orthopedic injuries. 

While we cannot stop orthopedic injuries when they happen, we can do things to reduce our likelihood of sustaining one.

Stretching, for example, is an activity that many people take for granted but is actually one of the best things we can do to reduce the risk of sustaining common sports injuries and other orthopedic problems.

When you stretch regularly (and not only when working out), your body’s flexibility improves, and so does your range of motion. 

Whether you work in an office or an assembly line, always find the time to do some stretches from time to time. In many workplaces, employers require their workers to perform stretching exercises at certain times of the day.

Regular exercise also contributes to orthopedic injury prevention, as it strengthens your muscles and joints and helps make your bones denser.

Your balance and coordination also improve with regular exercise, reducing the risk of falls that could lead to an orthopedic injury.

Wearing the right shoes can also reduce the strain on your legs and feet when walking, jogging, running, or engaging in any physical activity. Most shoes these days are designed to provide your joints and bones the cushion it needs when you’re up and about.

Of course, doing the tips mentioned above cannot guarantee that you won’t ever suffer an orthopedic-related injury. Still, they can improve your chances of preventing the common orthopedic injuries featured in the infographic below from happening to you.

About the Author:

Dr. Charles R. Kaelin received his medical degree from the University of Louisville, Kentucky, and completed his orthopaedic training at Orlando Regional Center in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Kaelin also received training in Sports Medicine at Alabama Sports Medicine with Dr. Lemak, specializing in sports medicine and workmans compensation injuries. He has been a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) since 1990. He is a charter member of the International Cartilage Research Society, Founding member of the AAOS Education Enhancement Fund (AAOS) and past editorial board member for the American College of Sports Medicine Health and Fitness Journal.