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Sledding injuries in the southeastern United States
C P Major1, D P Guest, L A Smith
1Department of Surgery, University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Chattanooga, USA.
Southern Medical Journal
|March 11, 1999
Summary
Sledding during severe winter weather can cause serious injuries, including fractures and head trauma, particularly in areas unaccustomed to such conditions. Public health initiatives should address sledding safety to prevent severe trauma.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Trauma Surgery
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Record low temperatures and heavy snow in Chattanooga, TN (Feb 2-6, 1996) led to numerous sledding injuries.
- Sledding injuries occurred during a period of unusual winter weather conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the epidemiology and severity of sledding injuries during a significant winter storm.
- To determine the healthcare costs associated with sledding-related trauma.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of emergency department visits and sledding injury records from seven hospitals.
- Data collected from February 2-6, 1996.
- Sledding defined as snow or ice sliding using any device except skis.
Main Results:
- 241 patients sustained 310 sledding injuries out of 2,134 emergency visits.
- Injuries ranged from extremity to severe head, chest, intra-abdominal, vertebral, and pelvic trauma.
- 36 patients required hospitalization, 18 underwent surgery, with estimated minimum costs of $220,000.
Conclusions:
- Sledding poses a significant risk for major trauma, especially in regions unaccustomed to severe winter weather.
- Trauma centers should integrate sledding safety into seasonal injury prevention programs.
- Community-wide education on sledding risks is recommended.