Citation

Ogawa H, Sumi H, Sumi Y, Shimizu K. Am. J. Sports Med. 2010; 38(3): 538-542.

Affiliation

Gifu University.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0363546509348756

PMID

20044499

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Information regarding pelvic fractures sustained during snowboarding is scant. PURPOSE: To analyze the epidemiologic data, injury patterns, and types of pelvic fractures sustained during snowboarding. Study Deign: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: We analyzed the epidemiologic factors, injury patterns, and types of pelvic fractures in 145 patients with snowboarding-related pelvic fractures who were admitted to our institution from the 1998-1999 to the 2006-2007 ski season. RESULTS: The incidence of snowboarding-related pelvic fractures was 0.102 per 10 000 ski lift tickets, which amounted to 2% of all snowboarding-related fractures (fifth most common type of fracture among all snowboarding-related fractures). Of the pelvic fractures, 85.5% were stable (type A according to the Tile classification) and 14.5% were unstable (types B and C according to the Tile classification). Isolated sacral fractures had the second-highest incidence (24.1%) after pubic bone and/or ischium fractures (46.9%). A distinct female prevalence was seen (52.4%). Jumps and isolated falls were the main mechanisms of injury (80%), and the incidence of collision was significantly higher in the unstable group than in the stable group (P = .037). In all, 57.9% patients classified their skill level as "intermediate," and only 9.7% of patients had received professional snowboarding lessons. A total of 30 subjects (20.8%) had other injuries along with pelvic fractures; the patients with multiple injuries were significantly more frequent in the unstable group than in the stable group (P = .035). CONCLUSION: Pelvic fractures resulting from snowboarding accidents included a higher proportion with isolated sacral fractures in the stable group and a lower prevalence of associated injuries in the unstable group compared with those resulting from other causes.

Language: en