Don't save the ball!
OBJECTIVE
To identify, over a period of 12 months, all attendances at an accident and emergency department by children over the age of 5 years with an injury to a wrist, hand, or finger, and to examine those sustained as a result of a blow from a ball.


METHODS
The case notes of all children aged 6-13 years attending the Accident and Emergency Department of the Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital in the year 2001 as a result of a wrist, hand, or finger injury sustained from a blow by a ball were reviewed, and the cause, type, and severity of the injury noted.


RESULTS
A total of 187 children were identified; 69% were boys and football was the main sport involved. Most (93%) were radiographed, and 40% were positive; most fractures were sustained outwith school. Hand dominance was not significant.


CONCLUSIONS
These injuries are common and may be preventable with modification of rules, equipment, and coaching. A register of youth sporting injuries may show if there are any detrimental long term effects.
Macgregor
D M
DM
A&E Department, Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK. diana.macgregor@arh.grampian.scot.nhs.uk
D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries; D019876:Sports Equipment / Q000009:adverse effects; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology