The effect of wrist guard use on upper-extremity injuries in snowboarders.
The objective of this investigation was to determine the effect of wrist guard use on all upper-extremity injuries in snowboarders. This matched case-control study was conducted at 19 ski areas in Quebec, Canada. Cases were 1,066 injured snowboarders who reported upper-extremity injuries to the ski patrol during the 2001-2002 season. Controls were 970 snowboarders with non-upper-extremity injuries who were matched to cases on ski area and the nearest date, age, and sex, in that order. The response rate was 71.8% (73.5% for cases and 70.1% for controls). Cases were compared with controls with regard to wrist guard use. The prevalence of wrist guard use among snowboarders with hand, wrist, or forearm injuries was 1.6%; for those with elbow, upper arm, or shoulder injuries, it was 6.3%; and for controls, it was 3.9%. Thus, wrist guard use reduced the risk of hand, wrist, or forearm injury by 85% (adjusted odds ratio = 0.15, 95% confidence interval: 0.05, 0.45). However, the adjusted odds ratio for elbow, upper arm, or shoulder injury was 2.35 (95% confidence interval: 0.70, 7.81). These results provide evidence that use of wrist guards reduces the risk of hand, wrist, and forearm injuries but may increase the risk of elbow, upper arm, and shoulder injuries.
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada. brent.hagel@ualberta.ca
Brent
B
Hagel
I Barry
IB
Pless
Claude
C
Goulet
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011482:Protective Devices; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012865:Skiing / Q000293:injuries*; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000293:injuries*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D014953:Wrist