When we move slowly and delicately to approach an animal, we analyze our every step and place our feet carefully and gently.
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After targeting a large game animal, we wait a few minutes to ensure that the wound has actually resulted in death. This will avoid scaring him and pushing him away. This is often the case when our lower limbs are unwell. Fearful, we try to approach the remains, noticing distant visual landmarks and taking long, tentative steps.
Injury
As you approach the desired trophy, you may suddenly run into a hole in the tall grass or get caught on a branch, rock, etc. Losing your foot in this way usually results in severe pain. We then suffer from a sprain of the ankle or knee or even a muscle strain in the foot, leg, thigh or buttock.
Dr. Sébastien Fortier, chiropractor, has almost 20 years of experience working with athletes and Laurence Labrosse, in addition to being a sports interventionist, is also a physiotherapy technologist. These specialists work at the Groupe Santé Optimum clinic in Laval. They were kind enough to advise the journal’s readers to help them avoid certain injuries.
Preparation
A few weeks before your excursions, walk regularly and gradually on uneven terrain. Wear your hunting boots during these exercises. They must be in good condition, fit your foot well, provide sufficient support and be well laced.
If you are more inactive, opt for a lower limb strengthening program that consists of leg curls (squats), forward lunges (lunges), small jumps on your toes, and small jumps to the side.
On the morning of the hunt, perform a light warm-up consisting of 10 squats (half squat), 10 plantar flexions (heel raise), 10 dorsiflexion (toe raise), and walking with straight knees (military type) for 30 seconds.
Ouch!
What happens if you injure a lower extremity despite taking all the precautions? Immediately avoid entering the device and apply ice or immerse it in ice-cold water for 10 minutes to an hour.
Try to move the injured area slowly without putting pressure on it. Next, try gradual weight bearing followed by a slow return to walking movements.
If the pain is very severe when you return, contact your doctor. If the damage is mild or moderate, opt for the acronym RICE. The R stands for calm. The I refers to ice cream [ice en anglais], for a period of 10-15 minutes per application. The C stands for compression using a compression bandage for visible edema. Finally, the E stands for elevating the limb above the heart to allow swelling to be reduced.
► To find out more, visit the website santeoptimum.ca or call 450 497-1500.
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