The Hazards of Skateboard-Riding

Abstract

Skateboard-riding has become increasingly popular among Hawaii's children. The thrill of the ride and the challenge of keeping one's balance and working intricate maneuvers while speeding down a hill captures the fancy of many of our young. This sport, however, has produced an alarmingly high toll of injury and illness. Pediatricians and emergency departments of our major hospitals have seen and taken care of large numbers of patients (aged between 3 years and 35 years, but with a distribution overwhelmingly pediatric) with significant injuries which include cerebral concussion, fractures, soft tissue injuries of varying degrees of severity and complications, and injury to internal organs. During a three-month period at the Kauikeolani Children's Hospital, July to August 1975, there were 16 patients admitted with the following: seven cerebral concussions, one skull fracture, five assorted bone fractures, one soft tissue injury and infection, one retroperitoneal hemorrhage, and one instance of major surgery for removal of the spleen. During the months of August and September 1975 the Emergency Department of Straub Clinic reported the following skateboard injuries: 14 fractures, 14 soft tissue injuries, 5 lacerations, and 2 cerebral concussions. Of the 35 patients seen, three were admitted—one with an open fracture, one with cerebral concussion, and one with a skull fracture. During a four-week period (two weeks in June and July and two weeks in August and September) at the Emergency Department of Kaiser Medical Center, 66 cases of skateboard injuries were seen with six patients requiring admission for fractures and brain concussion.