225 skateboard injuries in children

Abstract

Among 225 skateboard accidents treated at the Children's Hospital, Sheffield, in 8 months from August 1977, there were 92 fractures (40.9 per cent), of which 19 required manipulation under general anesthetic. Most involved the upper limb. Next most frequent were lacerations, bruises, abrasions, and injuries of joints and soft tissues. Four children had concussions (one with a fractured skull), 8 others had minor head injury, and 23 had soft tissue injuries of the head and neck. As for the reasons for the accidents, 20 per cent were due to hitting a stone, 10 per cent to a hole or bump in the pavement, 8 per cent to collisions, and three accidents to faults in the skateboards. Sixteen of the children were injured on the first day of their skateboarding. The role of protective clothing was uncertain. The city has no skateboard parks. Injuries due to skateboards were compared to injuries due to playground equipment.