@article{ref1,
title="Characteristics and risk factors of spinal fractures in recreational snowboarders attending an emergency department in Japan",
journal="Clinical journal of sport medicine",
year="2015",
author="Ishimaru, Daichi and Matsumoto, Kazu and Ogawa, Hiroyasu and Sumi, Hiroshi and Sumi, Yasuhiko and Akiyama, Haruhiko",
volume="26",
number="5",
pages="405-410",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the characteristics of spinal fractures during recreational snowboarding and to determine the risk factors for these fractures. <br><br>DESIGN: Case series study. SETTING: The Oku-mino ski area during the 7-year period between the 2005 to 2006 and 2011 to 2012 skiing seasons. PARTICIPANTS: Eight thousand seven hundred twenty-three snowboarders with injures. INTERVENTIONS: Cases involved snowboarders with spinal fractures; controls were snowboarders without spinal fractures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The characteristics of spinal fractures were assessed using a standard form and patient records, including radiographs. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to investigate risk factors for spinal fractures, including age, type of slope, snow condition, accident cause, self-reported skill level, experience level, and the use of protective equipment. <br><br>RESULTS: Of 8723 snowboarders with injuries, 431 snowboarders presented with spinal fractures (4.9%). The most common spinal fracture was isolated transverse process fracture in the lumbar spine (33.2%, n = 143), followed by compression type fracture in the lumbar spine (25.1%, n = 108). Age (20-39 years), terrain slopes (half-pipe/box/kicker/rail), and jump-landing failure were associated with a significantly high risk of spinal fracture. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Among the recreational snowboarders, isolated transverse process fracture in the lumbar spine was the most frequent spinal fracture. Age (20-39 year old), terrain slopes, and jump-landing failure were found to be risk factors for spinal fracture. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Identification of characteristics and risk factors for spinal fractures during snowboarding is useful information to create a preventive strategy for the fractures and make snowboarding a safer sport.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1050-642X",
doi="10.1097/JSM.0000000000000267",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/JSM.0000000000000267"
}