Orthopedic surgeon offers advice to be safe in the water over the holiday weekend

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - As many people are spending Memorial Day weekend at lakes and pools, one UAB orthopedic surgeon says a few simple precautions can help prevent serious injuries.

While appearing on Good Day Alabama Saturday, Dr. Amit Momaya said they see an uptick in water-related injuried this time of the year.

“A lot of people are getting out as the weather turns warmer and they’re doing a lot of water-related activity, especially on the lake,” Momaya said.

Shoulder, knee and hamstring injuries are more common this time of year from activities like tubing, water skiing, wakeboarding and jumping into shallow water, according to Momaya.

In addition to giving ways to be safe while in the water this holiday weekend, he it’s important to get checked out quickly if you are injured.

“If you have a traumatic injury, all of a sudden you feel something pop, something give, if you have weakness after that, certainly it’s important to get that checked out by a board-certified orthopedic surgeon to get imaging and appropriate treatment for that,” he said. “Number two is if you get some soreness in your shoulder and it’s not going away, it’s repetitive, not going away long term, then I think that’s also important to get checked out.”

Momaya also warns people to never assume water is deep enough before jumping in, saying some of the most serious injuries he sees involve the spine.

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