A new skatepark: the impact on the local hospital.
BACKGROUND
There has been a resurgence of skateboarding, rollerblading and BMX riding in recent years and in response dedicated skateparks have opened in many cities across the UK. It is acknowledged that these sports are associated with risk of injury and it is recommended that participants wear protective clothing.


OBJECTIVE
We aimed to determine if the opening of a skatepark near our hospital had any effect on the number of skatepark related injuries attending the emergency department and to describe the types of injuries sustained.


METHODS
All patients attending the emergency department with sports injuries were identified over 24 consecutive weeks. At the end of the 12th week a skatepark opened nearby. Data recorded prospectively included age and sex of subjects, the delay from injury to presenting to hospital, whether or not protective equipment was worn and if first aid was administered before attending hospital. The investigations performed in the emergency department, the diagnosis, treatment received and disposal from the hospital were also recorded.


RESULTS
After the skatepark opened there was a significant increase in the number of skatepark related attendances from 7 to 32. Protective clothing was only worn by 9 out of 39 of those with injuries. The commonest injuries were musculoskeletal and the limbs were injured more frequently than the head and trunk.


CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrated a significant increase in the number of skatepark related injuries attending the emergency department following the opening of a nearby skatepark.
Macdonald
Duncan J M
DJ
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Western Infirmary, Glasgow, UK. djmmacd@hotmail.com
McGlone
Sile
S
Exton
Alan
A
Perry
Sam
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012861:Skating / Q000191:economics / Q000293:injuries*