New Jersey's seasons put different kinds of stress on your spine. Winter brings sudden falls on ice, ski slopes, and frozen sidewalks. Summer brings the slower toll of golf swings, gardening, and long bike rides. Both can turn a manageable ache into a genuine emergency, and knowing which is which changes how fast you should seek care. Dr. Joshua S. Rovner, a board-certified orthopedic and spine surgeon known for his minimally invasive and robotic surgical approach, treats these seasonal injuries year-round at Progressive Spine & Orthopaedics.
Read on to see which seasonal activities put your spine at risk, and when it's time to call a doctor.
Winter's Hidden Spine Risks: Falls, Shoveling, and the Cold
Ice changes how your body absorbs impact. A fall on a slope, a driveway, or a frozen sidewalk can compress your spine or wrench your neck in ways summer rarely does. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons reports that winter sports sent nearly 200,000 people to emergency rooms, doctors' offices, and clinics in a single recent year, mostly for sprains, strains, and fractures.
Shoveling carries its own risk. The repeated bending and twisting strains your lower back, and AAOS points to it as a common cause of back strain and injury each winter. Cold, tight muscles make that strain more likely to turn serious.
Summer Overuse: Golf, Gardening, and Weekend Warrior Injuries
Warmer months trade sudden trauma for repetitive strain. A golf swing rotates your spine under real force, and AAOS names low back pain as the most common complaint among golfers. Gardening, cycling, and yard work wear down your back the same way, especially when bending and twisting happen without a warmup.
Most of these injuries start as ordinary soreness. See a doctor rather than waiting it out if you notice:
- Pain that radiates down an arm or leg
- Numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or fingers
- Weakness that makes gripping or walking difficult
- Pain severe enough to interrupt sleep
- Symptoms that last more than a few days despite rest and ice
How Progressive Spine & Orthopaedics Treats Seasonal Injuries
Most seasonal back and neck injuries respond well to non-surgical care. Rest, ice or heat, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medication resolve many strains without ever needing surgery, and the clinical team builds each plan around your specific injury.
When symptoms persist or point to nerve compression, Dr. Rovner steps in to see whether a surgical approach makes sense. His focus on minimally invasive and robotic spine surgery often means a shorter procedure and a quicker return to the activity that caused the injury.
Board-Certified Spine Surgeon Dr. Rovner: Ready for Every Season
The right next step for a seasonal ache depends on how it responds to rest and basic care. Dr. Rovner's years of experience treating New Jersey's winter athletes and summer weekend warriors make that call easier. If your pain hasn't improved, or you notice any of the warning signs above, contact Progressive Spine & Orthopaedics to schedule a consultation today.