CHEYENNE - The emergency room at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center is filled with the signs of winter: sprained ankles, broken wrists and dislocated shoulders.

As temperatures drop and ice collects on streets, sidewalks and driveways, the patient load increases from slips and falls.

The escalation begins as soon as December hits and won't let up until warmer weather melts these piles of hardened snow and ice.

Tracy Garcia, clinical nurse manager at CRMC's emergency room, said the most common injuries are sprains and strains, but a few patients will arrive with fractures. She added that while she does not keep track of patient numbers, the injury rate so far this year is comparable to last year's. Two December snowstorms dropped a total of three feet of precipitation last year, creating numerous icy patches to trip pedestrians.

"Sometimes people don't even realize it's slippery," she said.

Newly fallen snow often conceals the slick spots, making it even more difficult to avoid a fall.

Garcia said an easy way to prevent a visit to the emergency room is to keep sidewalks and driveways shoveled. She added that while it isn't always easy to find a clear space to walk, shoes with a good tread can minimize the chance for falls.

But if someone does take a snowy tumble, her advice is to head to a hospital. An X-ray will determine the severity of the injury and the best option for treatment.

Fractures can take up to six weeks to heal, but a patient might require surgery instead of a cast. Patients suffering from a dislocated shoulder must wear a sling after their joints are snapped back into place. Injured shoulders also must be immobilized for several weeks after the initial fall.

Twisted wrists and ankles may not seem as serious, but these aches can still take several weeks to heal. Garcia said limbs should be iced and elevated to alleviate pain.

"It seems that sprains and strains hurt worse," she added. "People will think it's broken."