Orthopedic injuries associated with backyard trampoline use in children.
BACKGROUND
Trampolining on an outdoor oval or circular trampoline is a popular activity for children but is associated with a number of orthopedic injuries, especially in children between the ages of 5 and 15 years. In this paper we review the orthopedic injuries in children associated with backyard trampoline use, through our experience with a series of children admitted to the Winnipeg Children's Hospital, the only tertiary care pediatric centre in Manitoba.


METHODS
We reviewed the charts, x-ray films and operative reports for 80 children under 16 years old (mean 9 yr, with 14 [18%] children between 2 and 4 yr) with an orthopedic injury sustained when using a trampoline in the backyard. We noted the mechanism of injury and type and severity of orthopedic injury sustained.


RESULTS
Fifty-two (65%) children were injured on the trampoline mat, and 24 (30%) were injured when they were ejected from the trampoline. Sixty (75%) children sustained a fracture or fracture-dislocation. Forty-eight (80%) orthopedic injuries occurred in the upper extremity. No child died as a result of a trampoline injury.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of the "backyard" trampoline by young children can cause significant orthopedic injury.
Black
G Brian
GB
Section of Orthopedics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg Children's Hospital, Winnipeg, Man. bblack@exchange.hsc.mb.ca
Amadeo
Ryan
R
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D011998:Recreation; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000209:etiology*