Rollerblading in children: the Edinburgh experience

To determine the incidence and severity of injuries sustained by children who present to an accident and emergency (A&E) department following rollerblading accidents.

A prospective case-control study.

The A&E department of a city centre paediatric teaching hospital.

Data were collected on a specially designed proforma on each child presenting with an injury sustained while rollerblading. The injury severity score was calculated for each patient and details were taken of the length of admission or outpatient follow up where appropriate.

Seventy four children (37 male; 37 female) presented with injuries over a three month period. The age range was 6-13 years in both groups. Half the injuries occurred at weekends. Fractures (n = 37) and soft tissue injuries (n = 28) were the most prevalent; 89% of injuries involved the limbs. Sixty eight children (92%) required treatment in A&E. Four (3%) were admitted to hospital and required operative procedures under general anaesthetic. The injury severity score ranged from 1 to 9 with a mean of 2.8. The length of hospital stay for admissions was 1-3 days; 47 children required follow up in the outpatient department (1-3 visits). Average length of outpatient contact was 18 days.

This study shows a greater incidence of rollerblading injuries than has been reported elsewhere. No figures are at present available for the United Kingdom as a whole.