Injuries in intercollegiate women's lacrosse.

BACKGROUND

Historically, the sport of women's lacrosse has required little or no protective equipment. Recently, there has been increasing concern over trauma to the face and head incurred during play. A rule change passed in spring 2003, during the course of this study, mandates goggles in 2005.

PURPOSE

To survey injuries in women's lacrosse over multiple seasons and institutions and to categorize injury rates and patterns.

STUDY DESIGN

A prospective survey.

METHODS

A standard report-of-injury form was sent to participating institutions. Injuries were defined by athletic training staff as any event resulting in the athlete missing one or more games or practices.

RESULTS

The overall injury rate for women's lacrosse for the 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 seasons from participating schools was 3.8 per 1000 athlete exposures. The rate of head and face injuries was 1.4 per 1000 athlete exposures, representing 38.5% of all injuries incurred. The rate of eye injuries was 0.43 per 1000 athlete exposures, accounting for 11.5% of the total injuries. The practice injury rate was 2.7 per 1000 athlete exposures, and the competition injury rate was 8.8 per 1000 athlete exposures.

CONCLUSION

Data support the future requirements for protective eyewear. There is significant and increasing exposure for head and face trauma. Further investigation is needed to monitor injury patterns in women's lacrosse as rules for protective gear evolve.