Traumatic injury patterns associated with static line parachuting

We investigated the incidence and injury patterns of acute parachuting injuries evaluated at a level II military facility during a 5-year period to compile medical information that may assist in improving the safety of parachuting.

A retrospective chart review of all parachuting injuries that presented to the Madigan Army Medical Center emergency department in Tacoma, Washington, during a 5-year period from February 2005 to June 2011.

A total 110 patient charts met inclusion criteria. Lower extremity injuries made up 65% of total injuries, followed by 22% head injuries, 22% neck or back injuries, and 19% upper extremity injuries. One patient died in the emergency department of head injuries, and 1 patient was transferred for an open-book pelvic fracture. The most common phase of the jump in which to sustain injury was at landing. A total of 15 patients were admitted to the hospital. It is of note that some patients had combined injuries. The mechanism of injury documented in 96 of 110 (87%) patients and 10 of 15 (66%) admitted patients was a difficult landing.

The rate of injury for each area of the body is within previously reported rates, with lower extremity injuries making up the largest category and leading to the majority of admissions. The most common time to sustain an injury was during landing, which represented a majority of both emergency room visits and hospitalizations.