Trauma on eight wheels. A study of roller skating injuries in Seattle

Thirty-five fractures secondary to roller skating accidents from March 15 to October 1, 1979 were treated in the University of Washington-affiliated hospitals. Twenty-eight involved the wrist and elbow. Only three were in skeletally immature individuals. Sixty-three percent of the patients were female with the 20- to 34-year-old age group the most commonly involved. A fall, usually backwards, onto outstretched arms and hands was the most frequent mechanism of injury. A detailed study of the popular outdoor skating area in Seattle, Green Lake, indicated that more than 75% of the injuries occurred on sloped surfaces with otherwise favorable environmental conditions. Most people were either first time skaters or had not skated since childhood. Based on our study, we recommend: (1) skating on level, familiar terrain; (2) learning to skate in a sparsely congested area; (3) skating with experienced partners who can give instructions; and (4) using protective equipment, such as knee and elbow pads and rigid wrist splints.