Trends of snowboarding-related fractures that presented to emergency departments in the United States, 2010 to 2016

Abstract

With the growing popularity of snowboarding in the US, it is important to know the common types of injuries that occur. This study found that fractures were the most common injuries, especially of the upper extremity.

Skiing Injuries in the US Pediatric Population: An Analysis of National Injury Trends and Mechanisms Between 2012 and 2022

“…The decrease seen between 2013 and 2016 may be a result of decreasing participation as well as increasing implementation of onsite clinics at ski resorts to address minor injuries that do not require a full ED work-up or visit. 27 , 31 , 40 Furthermore, the use of injury prevention programs with safety training as well as emphasis of protective gear may have contributed to this decrease. 4 , 20 , 22 , 31 , 40 The large increase in 2018 may be attributable to the 2018 ski season being the sixth busiest since 1978 despite decreasing participation in preceding years.…”

“… 27 , 31 , 40 Furthermore, the use of injury prevention programs with safety training as well as emphasis of protective gear may have contributed to this decrease. 4 , 20 , 22 , 31 , 40 The large increase in 2018 may be attributable to the 2018 ski season being the sixth busiest since 1978 despite decreasing participation in preceding years. 23 The drop in pediatric skiing injuries in 2020 likely was attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic cutting the 2020 ski season short, with many ski resorts closing during that period.…”

“… 13 Minor injuries such as strains, sprains, contusions, and abrasions are likely able to be addressed at an onsite or outpatient clinic or with the use of protective gear, whereas more serious traumatic injuries such as fractures or concussions may be taken by ski patrol directly to the hospital for ED evaluation and additional imaging. 20 , 27 , 31 …”

Sledding-Related Injuries Among Children and Adults Treated in US Emergency Departments From 2008 to 2017

“…6 Although the rate of injuries to children declined during our study period, children were almost 7 (6.74) times as likely to be treated in an ED for a sledding-related injury compared to adults. Although the exact reasons for the decrease in injuries over time are unknown, potential reasons for such decreases may be attributed to fewer people participating in sledding activities, or more people seeking medical services at on-site ski resort clinics, 30 choosing urgent care facilities or primary care instead of EDs for their injuries, 31 or an increased general safety awareness for winter sports activities. 32 Despite the decline in the rate of injuries, the persistence of sledding-related injuries indicates a need for an improvement in injury-prevention strategies and mitigation practices targeting children.…”

Are Different Aged Youth Skiers and Snowboarders Experiencing Different Injury Characteristics?

“…The low number of injured snowboarders in this age group reflects the reported demographics of snowboarders, which is dominated by adolescent males. 38,39 This represents a gap in the data that could be filled with future studies, and there may be undiscovered injury patterns in young snowboarders that we could not describe. By only including one diagnosis per patient, it's possible to underestimate the prevalence of some injuries.…”