Rollerblading injuries in children attending an accident & emergency department: should the use of wrist splints be compulsory?

Abstract

Our aim was to determine the incidence and nature of injuries in children from rollerblading attending a district general hospital Accident & Emergency (A&E) department in Scotland. Children, aged between 5-16 years, presenting with an injury from rollerblading, were studied prospectively over a three month period. A total of 34 children attended the department with a rollerblading injury. Boys (53%) and girls (47%) were injured almost equally. The wrist was the most frequently injured area of the body (62%) with 12 fractures and 9 soft tissue injuries. No children were wearing any form of protective equipment. Rollerblading is an increasingly popular, but expensive, activity amongst children in Scotland. Wrist injuries from falling were the most common presentation which may result in prolonged school absenteeism. Emphasis is normally placed on protective headgear, however, with wrist injuries more common, consideration must be given to the active promotion of injury prevention and the wearing of wrist splints.