title: Trauma on eight wheels. A study of roller skating injuries in Seattle.
abstract: Thirty-five fractures secondary to roller skating accidents from March 15 to October 1, 1979 were treated in the University of Washington-affiliated hospitals. Twenty-eight involved the wrist and elbow. Only three were in skeletally immature individuals. Sixty-three percent of the patients were female with the 20- to 34-year-old age group the most commonly involved. A fall, usually backwards, onto outstretched arms and hands was the most frequent mechanism of injury. A detailed study of the popular outdoor skating area in Seattle, Green Lake, indicated that more than 75% of the injuries occurred on sloped surfaces with otherwise favorable environmental conditions. Most people were either first time skaters or had not skated since childhood. Based on our study, we recommend: (1) skating on level, familiar terrain; (2) learning to skate in a sparsely congested area; (3) skating with experienced partners who can give instructions; and (4) using protective equipment, such as knee and elbow pads and rigid wrist splints.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016512:Ankle Injuries; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D003646:Debridement; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation; D005596:Fractures, Closed / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D012861:Skating; D013177:Sports; D014861:Washington; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy