Skiing injuries in children: lower leg fractures

A study was made of 113 children who sustained a lower leg fracture during downhill skiing. The age distribution showed a peak between 4 and 7 years in both sexes, and boys had another peak in their teens. Three of four patients were beginners. To a large extent, they had had their bindings adjusted in ski shops. Three of four bindings did not release at the time of the accident. Spiral fractures in the shaft or distal metaphysis of the tibia predominated (73%); the incidence of concomitant fibular fracture was low. The degree of malalignment was generally small. The results of treatment, which was generally conservative, were good, 7% of the patients having minor sequelae 1-3 years after the accident. To reduce the risks in children's downhill skiing, the following measures seem important: intensified training during the beginner stage; increased supervision by parents and in ski schools; development of children's release bindings and testing methods; and adequate instruction of personnel in ski shops.