Alpine ski and snowboarding traumatic injuries: incidence, injury patterns, and risk factors for 10 years

McBeth, Paul B.; Ball, Chad G.; Mulloy, Robert H.; Kirkpatrick, Andrew W.

doi:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2008.12.016

« Previous Next »The American Journal of Surgery
Volume 197, Issue 5 , Pages 560-564, May 2009

Alpine ski and snowboarding traumatic injuries: incidence, injury patterns, and risk factors for 10 years

Paul B. McBeth, M.A.Sc., M.D.
- Department of Surgery, Foothills Medical Centre, University of Calgary, 1403–29th St. N.W., Calgary, Alberta T2N 2T9, Canada
Chad G. Ball, M.Sc., M.D., F.R.C.S.(C.)
- Department of Trauma, Grady Memorial Hospital, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Surgery, Grady Memorial Hospital, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Critical Care, Grady Memorial Hospital, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
Robert H. Mulloy, M.D., F.R.C.S.(C.)
- Department of Surgery, Foothills Medical Centre, University of Calgary, 1403–29th St. N.W., Calgary, Alberta T2N 2T9, Canada
Andrew W. Kirkpatrick, M.D., F.R.C.S.(C.), F.A.C.S.
- Department of Surgery, Foothills Medical Centre, University of Calgary, 1403–29th St. N.W., Calgary, Alberta T2N 2T9, Canada
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Foothills Medical Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Regional Trauma Program, Foothills Medical Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Corresponding author: Tel.: +1-4039444262; fax: +1-4039441277

Received 8 November 2008; received in revised form 29 December 2008 published online 23 March 2009.

Abstract

Background

Alpine skiing and snowboarding are popular winter sports in Canada. Every year participation in these activities results in traumatic injury. The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence and injury patterns, as well as risk factors associated with ski and snowboarding injuries.

Methods

A comprehensive 10-year retrospective review of Alpine ski and snowboarding injuries from 1996 to 2006 was conducted. The Alberta Trauma Registry was used as the primary source of data.

Results

A total of 196 patients (56.6% skiers, 43.4% snowboarders) were identified as having major traumatic injuries (Injury Severity Score, ≥12). Forty-three patients required intensive care unit support. The majority of injuries were related to falls and collisions with natural objects. Head injuries were most common, followed by chest, spinal, and extremity trauma. Seventy-nine patients required emergency surgery.

Conclusions

Skiing and snowboarding represent activities with high potential for traumatic injury. Safety initiatives should be developed to target this population.

Keywords: Trauma, Skiing, Snowboarding, Injury patterns