Citation

Spina N, Santamaria S, Basile G, Mancini AM. J. Sports Traumatol. Rel. Res. 1997; 19(3): 119-127.

Affiliation

Spina, N., 11020 Nus (AO), Spain

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, Kurtis Publications)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

An account is given of 15 clinical cases of complex wrist injury in snowboarders. An assessment is made of the features of this sport that might have been responsible with a view to elucidating certain risk factors and, if possible, providing useful information with regard to prevention. The case series of the Aosta Regional Hospital for about three winter seasons (January 1994 to March 1995) only covers uncommon, serious wrist injuries that have always required surgery. A distinction is drawn between three groups: 1) fractures of the distal end of the radius 2) carpal dislocations 3) carpometacarpal dislocations. In addition to personal data, information was collected concerning the kind of snowboarding involved, the clothing and equipment used, the type of piste and snow, and how the injury occurred. Interpretation of these data showed that complex wrist injuries may be regarded as typical of snowboarding, though solely as the result of failure to observe three requirements: suitable equipment, appropriate technique and the right type of snow.