In-Line Skating Injuries
Section snippets
METHODS
We conducted a computer search to identify all medical records that mentioned in-line skating or roller-blading injuries in patients encountered in the emergency department or our Sports Medicine Center between July 1992 and December 1993. The records were then manually reviewed to confirm that the injury occurred during in-line skating. The patient's sex, age, type of injury, and injured body part were recorded.
RESULTS
During the defined study period, 32 in-line skating injuries were recorded in 32 patients, including 19 female (59%) and 13 male (41%) skaters skaters (Table 1). The mean age of the study group was 17 years (range, 6 to 46). An upper extremity was injured in 25 skaters (78%), a lower extremity in 5 (16%), and the head in 2 (6%). The wrist was by far the body part injured most often, accounting for 56% of all injuries. The elbow was the next most frequently injured site—19% of all injuries.
DISCUSSION
In-line skating injuries have become more frequent as the popularity of the sport has continued to increase; however, data about injuries associated with this activity are limited. In a study of 100 consecutive roller-skating injuries, Schwarzman6 found a female-to-male ratio of 1.7:1 and a mean patient age of 28.1 years. He also noted that 57% of the injuries involved an upper extremity and 65% were fractures. In another analysis of roller-skating injuries, Inkelis and associates 7 reported a
CONCLUSION
We believe that the data presented herein are of value to clinicians and patients because of the limited information available on injuries associated with in-line skating. In view of the injuries found in our survey and in other studies, we would recommend the use of protective equipment, including a helmet and wrist, elbow, and knee padding. In addition, training for novices to review braking and protective falling techniques may help reduce injuries. Newer braking systems, not available
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