Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown, Dublin, Ireland.
Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore, Offaly, Ireland.
Surgeon. 2022 Apr;20(2):67-70. doi: 10.1016/j.surge.2020.11.008. Epub 2021 Jan 4.
The games of hurling and camogie involve fast ball movement and a substantial physical contact with opposing players. The wearing of protective helmets with faceguards became obligatory 10 years ago and resulted in a significant reduction of craniofacial injuries. However since then a trend has emerged of players modifying helmets to improve comfort and vision. As officials are not yet required to perform pre-match checks, many players enter competition with defective protective equipment which poses a risk to both themselves and others.
We present 4 cases of penetrating upper limb injury in hurlers sustained as a result of helmet faceguards. These injuries were sustained during competitive play and the affected patients presented with portions of the faceguards embedded in their wounds. Each patient required admission to hospital and exploration of their wounds under general anaesthetic.
This case series demonstrates the dangers of modification and damage to protective helmet faceguards used in hurling and camogie. We encourage helmet manufacturers to re-engage with players to ensure that current safety equipment meets the functional demands of the modern player while adhering to approved manufacturing standards. Mandatory helmet checks before competitive games would reduce the likelihood of penetrating upper limb injury to players.
投掷和卡米高游戏涉及快速球运动和与对手球员的大量身体接触。10 年前，强制性要求佩戴带有面罩的防护头盔，这大大减少了头面部受伤的情况。然而，从那时起，出现了球员修改头盔以提高舒适性和视野的趋势。由于官员还没有被要求进行赛前检查，许多球员戴着有缺陷的防护装备参加比赛，这对他们自己和他人都构成了风险。
我们介绍了 4 例投掷运动员因头盔面罩而导致的上肢穿透性损伤。这些损伤是在竞技比赛中发生的，受影响的患者的面罩部分嵌入了他们的伤口。每个患者都需要住院并在全身麻醉下探查伤口。
本病例系列表明了在投掷和卡米高比赛中修改和损坏防护头盔面罩的危险。我们鼓励头盔制造商重新与球员合作，确保当前的安全设备满足现代球员的功能需求，同时遵守批准的制造标准。在竞技比赛前进行强制性头盔检查将减少球员上肢穿透性损伤的可能性。
