title: Martial arts injuries. The results of a five year national survey.
abstract: A 5 year national survey of martial arts was done using the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS). Seventy-four percent of the injuries involved the extremities and 95% were mild to moderate in nature. Even though most of the injury types were contusions/abrasions (36%). lacerations (14%), and sprains/strains (28%), 15% were dislocations and fractures. Five percent of all injuries were severe, and there were 18 hospitalizations. There were no deaths. Weapon-related injuries were rare and never serious. Overall, the risk of serious injury in the sport was found to be low, especially when compared to other contact sports.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Practice, Geisenger Medical Center, Danville, PA 17822.
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Birrer
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Halbrook
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003288:Contusions / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000453:epidemiology; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D013177:Sports; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States