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Severity of upper limb injuries in snowboarding
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yamagata University School of Medicine, 2-2-2 Iida-Nishi, Yamagata 990-9585, Japan.
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery
|August 14, 1999
Summary
Snowboarding injuries are more common and severe than skiing injuries, particularly affecting the arms, wrists, and elbows. Beginners are most at risk, highlighting the need for safety training and protective gear.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Traumatology
Background:
- Snowboarding and skiing are popular winter sports with distinct injury profiles.
- Understanding injury patterns is crucial for prevention and treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the incidence, pattern, and severity of injuries between snowboarders and skiers.
- To identify specific injury risks in snowboarding, particularly in the upper limbs.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective survey was conducted on 1,445 snowboarders and 10,152 skiers.
- Data collected included injury incidence, affected body parts, injury types, and patient experience levels.
Main Results:
- Snowboarding injuries occurred at a higher incidence (0.33%) than skiing injuries (0.11%).
- Arm injuries were more frequent in snowboarding (51.3%) versus skiing (25.9%), with higher rates of wrist fractures and elbow dislocations in snowboarders.
- Beginners ( < 1 year experience) accounted for 57.9% of snowboarding arm injuries, primarily caused by falls.
Conclusions:
- Snowboarding poses a higher risk of severe upper limb injuries, including wrist fractures and elbow dislocations, often due to falls.
- Emphasis on beginner training in safe falling techniques and the development of safety systems are recommended for snowboarding injury prevention.