Winter’s First Snow in Gangwon Province Signals Caution for Ankle Sprains on Icy Paths

[Physician's Column] By Dr. Ji-ho Moon, Barogood Orthopedic Clinic

Healthcare | 2025-10-29 17:05:46
[medi K / HEALTH IN NEWS] In South Korea’s Gangwon Province, October’s early snowfall heralds winter’s approach. As temperatures plummet, roads ice over, and slips on black ice or snow-covered paths spike accidents. Ankle sprains surge in emergency rooms; though often dismissed as minor twists, these injuries demand graded treatment to prevent recurrence.

Ignoring a sprain—slapping on a patch or self-medicating—risks chronic pain or joint instability. Immediate diagnosis and stage-specific care are non-negotiable.

Cold stiffens muscles and ligaments; bulky winter clothing dulls balance. Lateral ligament damage predominates. Once torn, incomplete healing invites repeat injury. Never assume “just a tweak.” X-rays or ultrasound pinpoint severity.

Sprains fall into three grades:

- Grade 1: Ligaments stretch; pain is mild, daily function intact.

- Grade 2: Partial tear; swelling, sharp pain, and limping ensue.

- Grade 3: Complete rupture; weight-bearing is impossible; surgery is often required.

Higher grades lengthen recovery; early precision diagnosis is critical.

Proper grading and stage-specific treatment—from PRICE to prolotherapy to surgery—prevent chronic ankle instability after winter slips. Credit: Dr. Ji-ho Moon, Barogood Orthopedic Clinic.
Proper grading and stage-specific treatment—from PRICE to prolotherapy to surgery—prevent chronic ankle instability after winter slips. Credit: Dr. Ji-ho Moon, Barogood Orthopedic Clinic.


Grade 1 responds to the PRICE protocol: 'P'rotection, 'R'est, 'I'ce, 'C'ompression, 'E'levation.

If pain or swelling persists beyond 2–3 days, seek orthopedic evaluation—simple sprains can mask fractures.

Grade 2 and above benefit from prolotherapy: high-concentration injectables trigger tissue regeneration and ligament strengthening. Unlike steroid shots that merely mask pain, prolotherapy targets root repair. Operator expertise in ankle anatomy is paramount.

To ease injection anxiety, clinicians now pair prolotherapy with cryo-analgesia—pre-injection coolant gas numbs skin instantly. The technique is safe even on sensitive zones.

Grade 3 tears usually require surgical reconstruction. Ankle sprains may spare bone yet destabilize the joint. Taping, hot packs, or over-the-counter patches fall short; systematic diagnosis and phased therapy prevent sequelae.

Undiagnosed or undertreated sprains breed chronic instability. With accurate grading and tailored intervention, most patients avoid the operating room. In winter, one slip warrants prompt medical review.

Lim Hye Jung / press@themedik.kr
Copyright © 2020 mediK. All rights reserved.

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