REVIEW OF SPORTS TRAUMA PRESENTING TO A REGIONAL ORTHOPAEDIC CENTRE 2004–5

A. Rankin. Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK

Aim: Orthopaedic trauma is common with sports participation and fractures and dislocations comprise a significant proportion of sports injuries. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of sporting injury seen at a regional orthopaedic referral centre.

Methods: All cases presenting to a regional orthopaedic “fracture clinic” for stabilisation and management from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2005 coded as sports injuries were analysed according to age, sex, site of injury, type of injury, management and sport. No injuries from equestrian or motor sports were included.

Results: A total of 344 persons were injured during sport; 328 male and 17 female. The majority of injuries were sustained during soccer, Gaelic football and rugby (269) with 31 sports recorded. No specific seasonal variation was found, with September having the highest injury rate in 2004 (24) and April the highest in 2005 (29). The age of patients ranged between 13 and 85 years with the 21–25 age group the highest contributor (81) followed by 16–20 years (77). In 2004 the most common injury was fractured tibia and fibula (36) followed by 30 ankle fractures. In 2005 46 ankle fractures occurred, with 38 tibia and fibula fractures. The most common soccer/Gaelic football injuries were tibia and fibula followed by ankle. Ankle fractures, tibia and fibula and cervical spine injuries were most common in rugby. All injuries, sports and management undertaken are shown.

Conclusions: Sports-related trauma provides a sizeable contribution to the work of a fracture clinic. Significant fractures of the tibia and ankle that often required operative intervention are among the most commonly presenting injuries. It is imperative that all involved in initial care of the sporting injured are aware of the appropriate initial management of …