In-line skating injuries in children: a 10-year review.
In-line skating is an increasingly popular recreational activity for both children and adults. As with any high-speed sport, traumatic injury is an associated hazard. It was the purpose of this study to focus on the injuries in children associated specifically with in-line skating with an emphasis on education and prevention. During a 9-year period, 331 injuries were identified, with 105 families completing an in-depth epidemiologic questionnaire. Sixty-one percent of the victims were boys, with an overall average age of 12 years. The upper extremity was most commonly injured (64%); the head and neck area was injured in 16% and the lower extremity in 20%. Fractures represented 38% of all injuries, with inexperience appearing to be the most common cause. An analysis of preventive strategies for childhood in-line skating was undertaken using Haddon's 10 basic preventive principles. Educational programs regarding instruction in in-line skating and the value of protective equipment need to be part of the school curriculum.
Nguyen
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Division of Pediatric Orthopaedics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Letts
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D000293:Adolescent; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012861:Skating / Q000293:injuries*; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000209:etiology