@article{ref1,
title="The current state of head and neck injuries in extreme sports",
journal="Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine",
year="2015",
author="Sharma, Vinay K. and Rango, Juan and Connaughton, Alexander J. and Lombardo, Daniel J. and Sabesan, Vani J.",
volume="3",
number="1",
pages="e2325967114564358-e2325967114564358",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Since their conception during the mid-1970s, international participation in extreme sports has grown rapidly. The recent death of extreme snowmobiler Caleb Moore at the 2013 Winter X Games has demonstrated the serious risks associated with these sports. <br><br>PURPOSE: To examine the incidence and prevalence of head and neck injuries (HNIs) in extreme sports. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiological study. <br><br>METHODS: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) was used to acquire data from 7 sports (2000-2011) that were included in the Winter and Summer X Games. Data from the NEISS database were collected for each individual sport per year and type of HNI. Cumulative data for overall incidence and injuries over the entire 11-year period were calculated. National estimates were determined using NEISS-weighted calculations. Incidence rates were calculated for extreme sports using data from Outdoor Foundation Participation Reports. <br><br>RESULTS: Over 4 million injuries were reported between 2000 and 2011, of which 11.3% were HNIs. Of all HNIs, 83% were head injuries and 17% neck injuries. The 4 sports with the highest total incidence of HNI were skateboarding (129,600), snowboarding (97,527), skiing (83,313), and motocross (78,236). Severe HNI (cervical or skull fracture) accounted for 2.5% of extreme sports HNIs. Of these, skateboarding had the highest percentage of severe HNIs. <br><br>CONCLUSION: The number of serious injuries suffered in extreme sports has increased as participation in the sports continues to grow. A greater awareness of the dangers associated with these sports offers an opportunity for sports medicine and orthopaedic physicians to advocate for safer equipment, improved on-site medical care, and further research regarding extreme sports injuries.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2325-9671",
doi="10.1177/2325967114564358",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/2325967114564358"
}