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276 Epidemiology of hospital treated cricket-related hand injuries over a 5-year period in victoria, Australia
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  1. Karishma Shah1,
  2. Nirmala Perera1,2,3,4
  1. 1Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
  2. 2Centre for Sport, Exercise and Osteoarthritis Research Versus Arthritis, Oxford, UK
  3. 3Division of Physiotherapy, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
  4. 4School of Allied Health, College of Science, Health and Engineering, Latrobe University, Melbourne, Australia

Abstract

Background Cricket is one of the most popular sports worldwide. However, the risk of hand injuries is high. For example, batters can be struck, wicketkeepers must catch the fast-moving ball, and fielders might dive to stop the ball. In retired elite cricketers, previous search shows 36% report severe hand injury, and this is associated with pain (20%) and osteoarthritis (2%). Hand osteoarthritis is known to decrease quality of life, and increase morbidity. The majority of cricketers are recreational players. However, the epidemiological data on cricket-related hand injuries are under reported in this population. This data are needed to inform development of evidence-based injury prevention programmes.

Objective Present the first comprehensive epidemiological profile of hospital treated cricket-related hand injuries from 2013–14 to 2017–18 in Victoria, Australia.

Design Retrospective analysis of routinely collected hospital presentation data (detailed case-series).

Setting De-identified hospital-treatment data from two hospital databases: Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset (ED-presentations) and Victorian Admitted Episodes Dataset (hospital-admissions), were obtained from the Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit.

Participants Male and female cricketers.

Main Outcome Measurements Incidence and description of ED-presentations and hospital-admissions.

Results 2,415 cases (1,960 ED-presentations) were treated in Victorian hospitals. 96% of cases were male. All (n=455) hospital-admissions were for one day. Most frequent ED-presentations were in the -15–19 year age group, whilst the 25–29 year ago group reported most frequent hospital-admissions. Fractures (48% ED-presentations versus 73% hospital-admissions) were the commonest injury type. Thumb injuries (17%) were most frequently treated in EDs. The most common injury mechanism was being hit/stuck/crushed (84% ED-presentations versus 79% hospital admissions).

Conclusions Cricket-related hand injuries are more frequent in younger players. Fractures are the most common type of injury, accounting for half of all ED-presentations. Fractures are also the most severe injury, accounting for 3 out of 4 hospital admissions. Hand injury prevention strategies need to be prioritised in recreational cricketers.

https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2021-IOC.254

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