title: Characteristics and Risk Factors of Spinal Fractures in Recreational Snowboarders Attending an Emergency Department in Japan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to elucidate the characteristics of spinal fractures during recreational snowboarding and to determine the risk factors for these fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case series study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Oku-mino ski area during the 7-year period between the 2005 to 2006 and 2011 to 2012 skiing seasons.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight thousand seven hundred twenty-three snowboarders with injures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cases involved snowboarders with spinal fractures; controls were snowboarders without spinal fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  The characteristics of spinal fractures were assessed using a standard form and patient records, including radiographs. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to investigate risk factors for spinal fractures, including age, type of slope, snow condition, accident cause, self-reported skill level, experience level, and the use of protective equipment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 8723 snowboarders with injuries, 431 snowboarders presented with spinal fractures (4.9%). The most common spinal fracture was isolated transverse process fracture in the lumbar spine (33.2%, n = 143), followed by compression type fracture in the lumbar spine (25.1%, n = 108). Age (20-39 years), terrain slopes (half-pipe/box/kicker/rail), and jump-landing failure were associated with a significantly high risk of spinal fracture.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among the recreational snowboarders, isolated transverse process fracture in the lumbar spine was the most frequent spinal fracture. Age (20-39 year old), terrain slopes, and jump-landing failure were found to be risk factors for spinal fracture.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Identification of characteristics and risk factors for spinal fractures during snowboarding is useful information to create a preventive strategy for the fractures and make snowboarding a safer sport.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University, Gifu City, Gifu, Japan; Departments of †Orthopaedic Surgery; and ‡Neurosurgery, Sumi Memorial Hospital, Gujo City, Gifu, Japan.
authors.forename: Daichi
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ishimaru
authors.forename: Kazu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.forename: Hiroyasu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ogawa
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sumi
authors.forename: Yasuhiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sumi
authors.forename: Haruhiko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Akiyama
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003050:Coccyx / Q000293:injuries*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012447:Sacrum / Q000293:injuries*; D012865:Skiing / Q000293:injuries*; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*