title: Skatepark injuries and the influence of skatepark design: a one year consecutive case series.
abstract: Skateboarding and in-line skating are popular activities that attract millions of participants yearly and have spawned the development of skateparks (SPs). This study examined the types and distribution of injuries within a local commercial SP. Subjects were prospectively enrolled in a university Emergency Department (ED) after an injury at a local SP. One hundred subjects were enrolled over 1 year, representing 102 episodes and 106 injuries. Musculoskeletal injuries accounted for 80% of all injuries. Fractures and dislocations were the most frequent injuries (59%); six required operative management. One serious intra-abdominal injury occurred. Head and facial injuries occurred in 17% of subjects; none required operative repair. Admission rate was 9%. Safety equipment use was greater than 91%. Significantly more injuries occurred in the ramp/bars areas compared to the half-pipe and gully areas, suggesting that SP design may significantly influence injury patterns. A substantial number of injuries occurred at the SP, despite controlled conditions and equipment requirements.
authors.affiliation: Division of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Irvine Medical Center, Orange, California, USA.
authors.forename: Worth W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Everett
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000453:epidemiology; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D005160:Facility Design and Construction; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000453:epidemiology; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000293:injuries; D008297:Male; D009141:Musculoskeletal System / Q000293:injuries*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011482:Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012861:Skating / Q000145:classification / Q000293:injuries*; D019876:Sports Equipment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018677:Tooth Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000293:injuries