The epidemiology of acute sports-related fractures in adults.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the incidence and epidemiology of acute sports-related fractures in adults.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database containing all in-patient and out-patient fractures in a defined patient population in 2000.

SETTING

Orthopaedic Trauma Unit.

RESULTS

There were 5953 fractures in 2000 of which 761 (12.8%) were caused in sporting accidents. The overall incidence was 142/10(5) with 261/10(5) in males and 35/10(5) in females. The mean age was 25.6 years. 41 sports caused the fractures but 10 sports accounted for 86.8% of fractures. In 40 sports the highest prevalence of fractures were in the upper limb and the commonest fractures seen were in the distal radius, metacarpus and finger phalanges although the highest prevalence was in the clavicle. Sports fractures comprised 16.5% of upper limb fractures and 7.5% of lower limb fractures. Our results suggest that there are 80,000-85,000 sports fractures annually in the United Kingdom of which about 18,000 require operative treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Sporting activities are the third most common cause of fractures. With increasing affluence it is likely that they will increase. Fractures of the wrist and hand are the most common but in some sports there are a number of higher energy fractures. Our results suggest that, even in sport, there are a number of osteoporotic fractures usually occurring in women.