An analysis of roller skating injuries

Abstract

This study retrospectively examines 186 patients treated for roller skating-related injuries.

The average patient age was 25.3 years, with males comprising 44% and females 56% of the patients. Of the 202 injuries, there were 130 fractures and 72 soft tissue injuries. The majority of the injuries involved the wrist (47%), while the elbow ranked second (14%) and the ankle third (10%). All fractures of the tibia- fibula and ankle involved a rotational mechanism, with 75% of ankle fractures involving the posterior malleo lus. Ankle fractures accounted for 46% of all surgical cases.

Although inexperienced skaters were involved in 77% of all accidents, experienced skaters' injuries required surgery twice as often. Female roller skaters were more frequently injured, but males had three times more operations. Over 90% of the skaters wore no protection. Skaters who seldom participated in other sports had a higher probability of being injured earlier, especially on their first try.

This study indicates that roller skating injuries are influenced by skating experience, surface texture, skate type and quality, and protective equipment.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

. Gallup G. : Gallup youth survey. Princeton , The Gallup Organization, Inc., December 6, 1978

Gallup G.: Gallup youth survey. Princeton, The Gallup Organization, Inc., July 2, 1980

Bregenzer RJ : AC Nielson company news-international marketing research. Northbrook, IL, AC Nielson Co., July 30, 1979

Gallup G.: The Gallup Poll. Princeton, The Gallup Organization, Inc., May 15, 1980

National Electronic Injury Surveilance System. National Injury Information Clearinghouse. US Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC, 1973-1980

Lauge-Hansen N.: Fractures of the ankle II. Combined experimental— surgical and experimental—roentgenologic investigations. Arch Surg 60: 957-985, 1950

Phillips AV : The Complete Book of Roller Skating New York, Workman Publishing Co., 1979

Thompson B.: Roller skating: flying on wheels. Physisian Sportsmed 7: 142-144,1979

Carmody JW, Scott WN: The spectrum and significance of contemporary roller skating injuries . Presented at the thirteenth annual American Orthopaedic Association Resident's Conference. Rochester, MN, April 30 to May 3, 1980

10.

Schwarzman PS: Roller skating injuries. Ann Emerg Med 9: 193-195, 1980

11.

Appendix A. - Estimates of injuries from consumer products. National Injury Information Clearinghouse, US Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC, 1979

12.

Rutherford G. , Friedman J., Beate SP, et al: HIA hazard analysis report— skateboards. US Consumer Product Safety Commission , Washington, DC, 1977, pp 1-127

13.

Hawkins RW, Lyne ED: Skateboarding fractures. Am J Sports Med 9. 99-102, 1981

14.

Rang M.: Children's Fractures. Philadelphia, JB Lippincott Co., 1974, pp 1-6

15.

Frykman, G. Fracture of the distal radius including sequelae—shoulder— hand-finger syndrome, disturbance in the distal radiouinar joint, and impairment of nerve function: a clinical and experimental study. Acta Orthop Scand 108 (Suppl). 1-26, 1967

16.

Ashhurst Apc , Bromer RS: Classification and mechanism of fractures of the leg bone involving the ankle. Arch Surg 4: 51-129, 1922

17.

Hoflin F., Linden Wvd: Boot top fractures. Orthop Clin North Am 7 205-213, 1976