Published in:
01-12-2013
Acute hand and wrist injuries sustained during recreational mountain biking: a prospective study
Published in: HAND | Issue 4/2013
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Background
Recreational mountain biking continues to increase in popularity and is a significant source of traumatic injury, including injuries to the hand and wrist.
Methods
A prospective survey of all hand and wrist injuries sustained while participating in recreational mountain biking presenting to the emergency department at the Municipality of Whistler and the District of Squamish was conducted over a 12-month consecutive period.
Results
An analysis of 765 unique emergency department visits with 1,079 distinct injuries was performed. Of these injuries, 511 were sustained to the upper limb. Injury to the metacarpal and metacarpal phalangeal joints was the most common hand injury (52) followed by proximal phalanx and proximal interphalangeal joint (20).
Conclusions
Mountain biking is a frequent source of a variety of upper limb trauma, and preventative efforts are necessary to minimize the burden of these injuries.