Trampoline injuries

Mona Nysted ^1* and Jon Olav Drogset ¹

¹ Trondheim University Hospital, Norway

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: mona.elvebakk{at}stolav.no.

Accepted 11 September 2006

Abstract

Objectives To describe the mechanism, location and types of injury for all patients treated for trampoline associated injuries at St Olav's University Hospital in Trondheim from March 2001 to October 2004

Materials and methods The patients were identified from a National Injury Surveillance System (NISS). All patients were asked to complete a standard questionnaire at their first visit at the hospital. Most data were recorded prospectively, but data on the mechanism of injury, the number of participants on the trampoline at the time of injury, adult supervision and whether the activity occurred at school or in another organized setting were collected retrospectively.

Results A total of 556 patients, 56% males and 44% females were included. Mean age was 11 years (range 1-62). 77% of the injuries occurred on the body of the trampoline including falls onto the mat, collisions with another jumper, falls onto the frame or the springs, and performing a summersault while 22% persons fell off the trampoline. More than two persons were on the trampoline in 74% of the cases, with as many as 9 trampolinists noted at the time of injury. For children younger than 11 years 22% had adult supervision when the injury occurred. The most common types of injuries were fractures (36%) and injury to ligaments (36%). Injuries to the extremities predominated (79%), and the lower extremities were the most commonly injured part of the body (44%). A ligament injury in the ankle was the most frequently reported diagnosis (20%), followed by an overstretching of ligaments in the neck (8%) and a fracture of the elbow (7%). Regarding cervical injuries, 2 patients had cervical fractures and one patient suffered an atlanto-axial subluxation. Three patients with fractures in the elbow region reported an ulnar nerve neuropathy. 13% of the patients were hospitalised for a mean of 2.2 days.

Conclusion Trampolining can cause serious injuries, especially in young children's neck and elbow-area. The use of a trampoline is a high-risk activity. However we do not support a ban. We emphasize the importance of having safety guidelines for the use of trampolines.

Key Words: children, fractures, injuries, risk factors, trampoline

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