Play-wrestlers and their injuries

Abstract

Television (TV) broadcast wrestling series have become very popular amongst Irish children in recent years. Over a four-month study period, 2.3% of injuries seen at a busy paediatric fracture clinic were attributable to play-wrestling. The mean age was 9.5 years (range 4-15 years). All of the children had been role-playing wrestlers and imitating wrestling "moves" seen on TV. None had formal training in wrestling or martial arts. The commonest injury was fracture of the distal radius (7/13). One child required general anaesthetic for manipulation of a dorsally displaced fracture of radius. All other injuries were treated conservatively and resolved without sequelae.