Ice-skating injuries to the hand

166 patients with injuries due to ice-skating were seen in the local accident and emergency department over a six-month period; 60% of these involved the upper limb. 28 of the upper limb injuries were closed fractures and 24 were lacerations, almost all to the dorsum of the hand. The use of protective gloves would help to prevent these potentially avoidable injuries. "On-site" first-aid facilities help to reduce the demand on the local accident service.