RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Don’t save the ball!
JF British Journal of Sports Medicine
JO Br J Sports Med
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine
SP 351
OP 353
DO 10.1136/bjsm.37.4.351
VO 37
IS 4
A1 Macgregor, D M
YR 2003
UL http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/37/4/351.abstract
AB Objectives: To identify, over a period of 12 months, all attendances at an accident and emergency department by children over the age of 5 years with an injury to a wrist, hand, or finger, and to examine those sustained as a result of a blow from a ball. Methods: The case notes of all children aged 6–13 years attending the Accident and Emergency Department of the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital in the year 2001 as a result of a wrist, hand, or finger injury sustained from a blow by a ball were reviewed, and the cause, type, and severity of the injury noted. Results: A total of 187 children were identified; 69% were boys and football was the main sport involved. Most (93%) were radiographed, and 40% were positive; most fractures were sustained outwith school. Hand dominance was not significant. Conclusions: These injuries are common and may be preventable with modification of rules, equipment, and coaching. A register of youth sporting injuries may show if there are any detrimental long term effects.