Floorball Injuries Presenting to a Swiss Adult Emergency Department: A Retrospective Study (2013-2019)

The popularity of floorball has surged throughout Switzerland in the last 20 years. However, epidemiological studies are still scarce.

To collect information on floorball-related injuries, their severity and approximate cost in adults who presented to our emergency department from 2013-2019. Moreover, to use this information to suggest possible strategies to prevent injuries.

The study population includes all patients who suffered injuries related to floorball and were then seen at the University Hospital in Bern during a 7-year period. Bern University Hospital, Switzerland, has a comprehensive management system (Ecare) that was used to generate the data for this study. The data were then used to create an injury profile of all cases presented during the said period.

A total of 263 injures were recorded from 2013 to 2019. The most common locations for injuries were to the eyes (43.73%), followed by the lower extremities (25.48%). The mean cost per case was CHF 1191.43. However, the vast majority of admissions could be sent home (93.16%) and did not cost more than 500 CHF/case (57.41%). Of the 22 cases that cost more than CHF 2000, 10 were located around the torso and 6 affected one or both eyes. Significant differences were observed between the age groups and treatment area (p =0.008), costs (p =0.008), route of discharge (p =0.023) and type of trauma (p =0.020).

Although floorball is still a relatively minor sport, its impact on sport-related injuries must not be underestimated. Injuries to the eyes are particularly common. In our opinion, our findings provide strong evidence that all floorball players (not only children and adolescents) should wear protective eyewear. We conclude that the Swiss Floorball Association (Swiss Unihockey) should mandate the use of protective eyewear.