Pelvic fractures resulting from snowboarding.
BACKGROUND
Information regarding pelvic fractures sustained during snowboarding is scant.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze the epidemiologic data, injury patterns, and types of pelvic fractures sustained during snowboarding.


METHODS
Case series; Level of evidence, 4.


METHODS
We analyzed the epidemiologic factors, injury patterns, and types of pelvic fractures in 145 patients with snowboarding-related pelvic fractures who were admitted to our institution from the 1998-1999 to the 2006-2007 ski season.


RESULTS
The incidence of snowboarding-related pelvic fractures was 0.102 per 10 000 ski lift tickets, which amounted to 2% of all snowboarding-related fractures (fifth most common type of fracture among all snowboarding-related fractures). Of the pelvic fractures, 85.5% were stable (type A according to the Tile classification) and 14.5% were unstable (types B and C according to the Tile classification). Isolated sacral fractures had the second-highest incidence (24.1%) after pubic bone and/or ischium fractures (46.9%). A distinct female prevalence was seen (52.4%). Jumps and isolated falls were the main mechanisms of injury (80%), and the incidence of collision was significantly higher in the unstable group than in the stable group (P = .037). In all, 57.9% patients classified their skill level as "intermediate," and only 9.7% of patients had received professional snowboarding lessons. A total of 30 subjects (20.8%) had other injuries along with pelvic fractures; the patients with multiple injuries were significantly more frequent in the unstable group than in the stable group (P = .035).


CONCLUSIONS
Pelvic fractures resulting from snowboarding accidents included a higher proportion with isolated sacral fractures in the stable group and a lower prevalence of associated injuries in the unstable group compared with those resulting from other causes.
Ogawa
Hiroyasu
H
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gifu University, Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, Gifu, 501-1194 Japan. h-ogawa@k7.dion.ne.jp
Sumi
Hiroshi
H
Sumi
Yasuhiko
Y
Shimizu
Katsuji
K
D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000453:epidemiology; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000293:injuries*; D011481:Protective Clothing; D012865:Skiing / Q000293:injuries* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult