Changes in Skiing and Snowboarding Injury Epidemiology and Attitudes to Safety in Big Sky, Montana, USA

Abstract

BackgroundDespite a risk of harm, the past 20 years have seen dramatically increased participation in snow sports such as skiing, and particularly, snowboarding. This period has also seen revolutions in piste maintenance and paradigm developments in the use of safety equipment. Consequently, the numbers and characteristics of injury may be very different from those traditionally quoted.PurposeTo compare and evaluate the injury patterns among skiers and snowboarders in a North American ski resort in 1996 and 2013.Study DesignCross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.MethodsQuestionnaire-based cross-sectional studies were carried out independently in a North American ski resort between the dates of March 6 and April 11 in both 1996 and 2013. Demographic data and information about incident circumstances were collected from injured patients who visited the local on-site clinic. Data were compared statistically to assess for significant changes in injury characteristics between the 2 time periods.ResultsThe 1996 report consisted of 148 injured participants, and the 2013 study included 156 participants. Results from 2013 demonstrated significant increases in helmet use, the number of snowboarders injured, and shoulder injuries. Injury was also more likely in those aged 46 to 55 years, those never having had professional instruction, or those with rented equipment. Significant reductions were seen in those injured with other people close by and in the 36- to 45-year age group. Overall, the knee was the most commonly injured body part in both periods (1996: 31%, n = 38; 2013: 33%, n = 36), although upper limb injuries were predominant in snowboarders.ConclusionSnow sports injury characteristics of patients presenting to a ski resort medical clinic have changed between 1996 and 2013. These findings can be used to further inform safety recommendations and areas to target with further research.

Lesiones entre practicantes de esquí y snowboard portugueses

“…This data is important, because these sports have been developed significantly over the past 20 years (especially Snowboard). Patrick, Cooper & Daniels (2015) found changes in USA's injury epidemiology from 1996 to 2013, concluding that there was a significant increase in snowboarding injuries, shoulder injuries, and helmet usage. This brings us a pertinent research subject, concerning the role of helmets in Skiing and Snowboarding.…”

Short narrative review on main winter sports-related accidents: epidemiology, injury patterns, arguments for prophylactic behavior to avoid orthopedic and catastrophic neurological injuries

“…Approximately 600,000 ski-and snowboarding-related injuries occur in North America each year, and head trauma accounts for 20% of all injuries (14). Amateurs ("week-end athletes") aged between 46 to 55 years, and those who never had a professional instruction, or those with rented equipment are predisposed to catastrophic neurological lesions (22). Cerebral trauma was reported in 28% of all ski injuries, respectively in 15% (23) up to 33.5% (24) of all reported snowboarding injuries.…”

“…Falls, in addition to pole planting during skiing and aerial maneuvers during snowboarding are the most common causes of shoulder injury (31). Overall, upper limb injuries in snowboarding have a double frequency, compared to those registered during alpine skiing (22,29). Most common fractures were noticed at the radius (48%), clavicle (11%), humerus (11%), and ulna (7-8%) (32).…”

Ski Lesions Around the Knee: A Literature Review

“…Referring to amateur skiers, Patrick et al [2] made a study comparing injury epidemiology in skiers between the 1996 and 2013 seasons. In both years, the knee was the most commonly injured body part (28%).…”

“…This is reported to be found in 23-55% of ACL-injured knees. Some authors [2,21] tried to explain the lower incidence of menisci lesions in ACL-injured knees when comparing to other ACL injury high-risk sports. The fact that some injury mechanisms are caused by forces that do not contain rotation or valgus may explain that.…”