Summer Fun, Summer Sun and Summer Safety All in One; Summit Orthopedics with Peak Insight from Dr. Voight

After the cold weather settles and the warm rays begin to awaken in Minnesota, there is a lot of excitement to get outside for some much-anticipated sunshine and fun. The same sunshine that activates a vitamin D release that is responsible for our strong bones carrying us through summer’s physical adventures. We had the grand opportunity to learn how summer safety and awareness can be best applied from Summit Orthopedics’ very own Dr. Angela Voight.

Voight is an esteemed sports medicine professional with over a decade in the field of sports medicine, non-invasive rehabilitation and safety advocacy for athletes of all ages. She attended the University of Minnesota for medical school, St. John’s Hospital Family Medicine Residency and the Sports Medicine Fellowship at the University of California.

During our sit-down with Voight, she brought up very worthy observations regarding activity and injury.

“Many people don’t realize how sedentary they can be during the winter/colder months. Then they attempt to get outside and do more activity than their bodies are used to, and this is a huge reason for injury,” she says.

It was encouraging to hear this information, because so often the summer brings opportunity to bask in all her glory, but sometimes we don’t plan accordingly. For instance, types of shoes during hikes matter, hydration matters and rest in-between physical activity matters.

Voight mentioned that it is great that everyone wants to be outside and active. However, there is a responsibility to oneself to ensure there is success in safety.

Non-surgical preventative medicine is an area that Voight speaks highly of.

“Starting in primary care, I feel that there are a lot of things we can do to try to improve health and avoid surgery,” she shares. “I am drawn to that, but I like the idea of keeping people active and trying to do everything that we can, if it’s possible to avoid surgery.”

She also mentioned that there are moments when surgery is inevitable, but still, recovery and rehabilitation are the best ways to get back healthy post-op. The summertime is when a lot of hip joint, knee and foot/ankle injuries happen. But to offset these injuries, Voight mentioned that hydration and stretching before long strenuous events such as hikes, long car/bike rides and/or outdoor water activities could be the saving grace to prevent any accidents that could occur.

Speaking of grace, there are additional benefits of staying safe and active outside during the summer. According to the CDC, just 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week can reduce the risk of depression by up to 30%, while improving sleep quality and cognitive function. Voight emphasizes that summer is a great time to harness these benefits, whether it’s a walk around the many options of lakes, a family bike ride or paddleboarding at your favorite spot. The key, she says, is getting the right balance between fun and functional movement and getting your body moving without overdoing it.

To make the most of everything summer has to offer, Voight encourages Minnesotans to take a proactive approach to safety. We’ve curated a quick checklist to ensure fun can still happen while avoiding injury:

1. Warm up first: Always stretch and move a little before any big activity like hiking, biking or playing sports on land and/or water.

• Drink plenty of water: begin the day hydrated and keep drinking throughout your time outside.

• Wear the right shoes: Use shoes that support your feet and match the activity; no flip-flops on trails!

• Take breaks: Give your body time to rest between activities. Don’t ignore soreness. During car rides, it’s ok to stop to stretch.

• Avoid peak heat: Try to be active in the early morning or evening when it’s cooler.

• Use sunscreen: Apply SPF 30 or higher and reapply every two hours when needed.

• Protect from bugs: Use bug spray and check for ticks after outdoor fun.

• Be careful around water: Wear a life vest, warm up first and know your limits.

• Don’t go alone: Bring a buddy or let someone know where you’re going. Keep a phone and a small first-aid kit handy.

Are you thinking about getting outside and moving this summer? We hope so, but we also urge you to be safe and to take your time! There is fun for everyone in the Minnesota sun. Go get some vitamin D!

If you would like to learn more about Summit Orthopedics or are looking for consultation from a specialist, they are currently taking new patients. Please refer to the link below:

summitortho.com/find-care/locations/