An Analysis of Fencing Injuries in the United States: A 10-Year Database Review

Fencing has maintained sustained popularity in the United States and internationally. However, there is limited information regarding acute injury patterns among fencing athletes.

To determine the prevalence of fencing injuries evaluated at emergency departments in the United States from 2013 to 2023 and analyze trends in diagnosis by demographics, mechanism of action, and disposition status.

Descriptive epidemiological study.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission's National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database was queried in June of 2024 using the product code 3260-Fencing (activity/apparel/equipment). The analysis included descriptive statistics for diagnosis prevalence and demographics, univariate analysis utilizing diagnosis and demographic data, and a text analysis of the narrative descriptions.

From 2013 to 2023, 129 fencing-related injuries were reported from US emergency departments, representing an NEISS national estimate of 3418 (95% CI, 2200-4636). The most common age group affected was 11 to 15 years (35.7%), followed by 16 to 20 years (29.5%), with a median age of 16 years. Most injured individuals were White (49.65%) and male (56.5%). However, there was an upward trend in injuries among female athletes throughout the study. The most frequent injuries were strains or sprains (26.4%), lacerations (15.5%), fractures (11.6%), and contusions/abrasions (10.9%). Fracture prevalence was higher in females than males (14.4% vs 9.6%; P1 = .04). Males experienced a higher laceration prevalence (21.9% vs 7.1%; P = .02). The most affected body part was the finger (14%), followed by the wrist (8.5%), leg (8.5%), and head (7.8%). Most injuries occurred in sports-specific facilities (70%), followed by personal homes. Regarding disposition, 97.7% of all patients were treated and released. Fencing injuries rose steadily until the COVID-19 pandemic caused a decline, but they have since rebounded.

Fencing injuries decreased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic but have since become more prevalent. Fractures were more prevalent among females, whereas males had a higher prevalence of lacerations. Understanding the epidemiology and nature of fencing injuries can help inform coaches, athletes, and health care providers about potential risks and injury prevention strategies.