Skateboarding Safety

Skateboarding is a popular activity among children and teenagers especially boys. In

recent years, skateboarding spin-offs, such as longboarding and mountain boarding, have
become increasingly common.
Although it is a fun activity, skateboarding carries with it a serious risk for injury. In 2011,
skateboard-related injuries accounted for more than 78,000 emergency room visits among
children and adolescents (19 years old or younger).
There are many things that parents and children can do to help prevent skateboarding injuries,
such as carefully selecting safe places to ride, and wearing protective gear, especially
helmets.

Common Skateboarding Injuries

On average, about 52% of skateboard injuries involve children under age 15. Most of the
children injured are boys (average 85%).
Many injuries happen when a child loses balance, falls off the skateboard and lands on an
outstretched arm. Skateboarding injuries often involve the wrist, ankle, or face.

Injuries to the arms, legs, neck and trunk range from cuts and bruises to sprains,
strains, and broken bones. Wrist fractures are quite common. Wearing wrist guards
can reduce the frequency and severity of these fractures.

Facial injuries, such as a broken nose or jawbone, are also common.

Severe injuries include concussion and other head injuries.

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Age Recommendations
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children under age 5 years should not ride
skateboards. Children aged 6 to 10 years old need close supervision from an adult whenever
they ride a skateboard.
Skateboarding is a special risk for young children because they have:

A higher center of gravity, less development, and poor balance. These factors make
children more likely to fall and hurt their heads.

Slower reactions and less coordination than adults. Children are less able to
"break" (slow down) their falls.

Less skill and ability than they think. Children overestimate their skills and abilities,
and are inexperienced in judging speed, traffic, and other risks.
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Wear Proper Protective Gear

Before getting on your skateboard, empty your pockets of all hard and sharp objects and put
on your protective gear. Essential protective equipment includes:

A properly fitting helmet

Wrist guards help support the wrist and reduce the chances of breaking a bone if you
fall.

Knee and elbow pads reduce the severity of cuts and scrapes, and prevent gravel
burns.

Closed shoes that have slip-resistant soles.

Goggles can keep debris out of the eyes.

Skateboarders who perform tricks should use heavy duty gear.

Helmet Safety
To protect your head from injury, always wear a properly fitting helmet. This is true no
matter what your age, level of experience, or skateboarding location.

Get a quality bicycle or multi-sport helmet. It should meet or exceed safety standards of the
U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). You may need to try on several sizes
and models to find a helmet that fits your head correctly and securely. A properly fitting
helmet:

Is worn flat on your head with the bottom edge parallel to the ground

Sits low on your forehead

Has side straps that form a "V" shape around each ear

Has a buckle that fastens tightly (there should be room to put only two fingers
between the strap and your chin)

Has pads inside that you install or remove so the helmet fits snuggly

Does not move in any direction when you shake your head

Does not interfere with your movement, vision, or hearing

Replace your helmet at least every 5 years, or when it is damaged or outgrown. You may
need to replace it sooner if the manufacturer recommends it.
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Choose a Safe Environment

Children are most at risk for injury when they skateboard near traffic or in places where it is
possible to collide with motor vehicles, bikes, pedestrians, or other obstacles.
To improve skateboarding safety, a growing number of communities provide supervised
skateboard parks. These may have professionally designed "bowls" and "ramps" or other
designated skateboarding areas that are located away from motor vehicle and pedestrian
traffic.
In addition to choosing locations away from traffic, follow the recommendations below to
help ensure a safe environment for skateboarding.

Avoid skateboarding on irregular surfaces. Always screen the area before you
skateboard, inspecting surfaces for cracks, rocks, and other debris.

Do not use homemade skateboard ramps.

Never use your skateboard in wet weather.

Avoid skateboarding in crowded walkways or in darkness.

Never hold onto the side or rear of a moving vehicle while riding a skateboard
("skitching"). You could fall or be thrown into oncoming traffic if the vehicle
suddenly slows, stops, or turns.
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Ensure Appropriate Equipment

There are different types of skateboards for styles of riding, such as slalom, freestyle, and
speed. Some boards are rated for the user's weight. Use a quality skateboard that is
appropriate for your level of ability and the type of riding you do.
Skateboards have three parts: the deck (the board itself), the trucks (the mechanism to which
wheels are attached), and the wheels. Shorter decks are best for beginners because they are
easier to balance and handle.
Be sure to keep your skateboard in good working order. You should inspect it before every
ride. Look for problems that need repair, such as:

Loose, broken, or cracked parts

Sharp edges on metal boards

A slippery top surface

Wheels with nicks and cracks

Get professional help to repair serious defects.
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Focus on Technique

Learn the basic skills of skateboarding, especially how to stop, slow down, and turn.
Be able to fall safely: If you are losing your balance, crouch down on the skateboard
so that you will not have as far to fall. Try to land on the fleshy parts of your body
rather than your arms. Relax and roll.
Skateboard according to your ability level. Skateboarding skill is not acquired quickly
or easily. Do not take chances by skateboarding faster than your experience allows, or
faster than is safe for the surrounding conditions.
Practice and master each skill before moving on to a more challenging trick.
Staying in good physical condition can help to prevent skateboarding injuries.

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Additional Safety Tips

Practice tricks and jumps in a controlled environment, such as a skate park that has
adult supervision and appropriate access to emergency medical care.

Be considerate of fellow skateboarders, especially those who are younger and/or less
skilled. Take turns on ramps or other equipment.

Do not use headphones while skateboarding.

Never put more than one person on a skateboard.

Skateboarding accidents happen, so you should always know what to do in emergency

situations. Call 911 for medical assistance or an ambulance.
Source: Department of Research & Scientific Affairs, American Academy of Orthopaedic
Surgeons. Rosemont, IL: AAOS; April 2013. Based on data from the National Electronic
Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), 1994-2011; U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
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Last reviewed: October 2013

Reviewed by members of POSNA (Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America)

The Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA) is a group of board eligible/
board certified orthopaedic surgeons who have specialized training in the care of children's
musculoskeletal health. One of our goals is to continue to be the authoritative source for
patients and families on children's orthopaedic conditions. Our Public Education and Media
Relations Committee works with the AAOS to develop, review, and update the pediatric
topics within OrthoInfo, so we ensure that patients, families and other healthcare
professionals have the latest information and practice guidelines at the click of a link.

Skateboarding Injuries
Article by John Miller

Skateboarding and similar sports such as scooters, rip sticks all involve an inherent
risk of falls. This leads to lower limb, upper limb and spinal or hip injuries.
The chance of a fractured wrist, hip etc increases with height, speed and adventurous
challenges that skateboarders enjoy. Luckily, there is a higher change of soft tissue
injuries such as bruises and sprains that respond favourably to physiotherapy or
massage interventions.
However, if you suspect a fracture (broken bone) or headconcussion,it is best to head
to hospital for at least a precautionary Xray.

Skateboarding Injury Statistics

Skateboarding injuries have increased in correlation with the rise in popularity of the
sport, and the injury pattern can expect to increase with the development of riskier
skateboard tricks.
Skateboarding injuries often involve the wrist, ankle or face. Many injuries happen
when you lose your balance, fall off the skateboard and land on an outstretched arm.
In a 2001 study, the most common fractures were of the ankle and wrist. Older
patients had less severe injuries, mainly sprains and soft tissue injuries.

Most children were injured while skateboarding on ramps and at arenas; only 12 (9%)
were injured while skateboarding on roads. Some 37% of the injuries occurred
because of a loss of balance, and 26% because of a failed trick attempt. Falls caused
by surface irregularities resulted in the highest proportion of the moderate injuries.
Overall, skateboardingis a fun and healthy sport that can give you a low-impact
aerobic workout, plus an adrenaline rush!

General Skateboarding Injury Prevention

Guidelines

Practice skateboarding safely and use protective equipment.

Learn the basic skills of skateboarding, especially how to stop properly.
Useprofessionally designed "bowls" and "ramps" or other designated
skateboarding areas that are located away from motor vehicle and pedestrian
traffic.
Don't perform tricks beyond your ability.
Use a quality skateboard
Keep your skateboard in proper working order
Do not use headphones while skateboarding.
Never put more than one person on a skateboard.
Wear proper protective equipment

Skateboarding Protective Equipment

Helmet
Wrist guards
Knee and elbow pads
Shoes

Young Children Skateboarding

Skateboarding is not recommended for young children because they are still growing
and do not yet have the physical skills and thinking ability a person needs to control a
skateboard and ride it safely. 60% of skateboard injuries involve Children under age
15. Most of those injured are boys.

Highest Risk

Inexperienced skateboarders. Those who have been skating for less than one
week suffer one-third of injuries, usually caused by falls.
Skateboarders who do not wear protective equipment. Every skateboarder
should wear standard safety gear. This includes a helmet, wrist guards, elbow
and knee pads and appropriate shoes. Skateboarders who perform tricks should
use heavy duty gear.
Skateboarders who go near traffic or use homemade skateboard ramps. Both
activities are particularly dangerous.
Experienced skateboarders who encounter unexpected surfaces or try risky
stunts.

Irregular riding surfaces, rocks or other debris can cause you to fall. You can
stumble over twigs or fall down slopes.
Wet pavements and rough or uneven surfaces can cause a wipeout.
Avoid risky behaviour. Don't skateboard too fast or in dangerous or crowded
locations.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP):
Children under age 5 years old should never ride a skateboard.
Children aged 6 to 10 years old need close supervision from an adult or
trustworthy adolescent whenever they ride a skateboard.
When young children are involved in skateboarding accidents, they are often injured
severely. Skateboarding is a special risk for young children because they have:
A higher centre of gravity, less development and poor balance. These factors
make children more likely to fall and hurt their heads.
Slower reactions and less coordination than adults. Children are less able to
break their falls.
Less skill and ability than they think. Children overestimate their skills and
abilities and are inexperienced in judging speed, traffic and other risks.
Source:http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00273

Common Skateboarding Injuries

AC Joint Injury
Achilles Tendon Rupture
Achilles Tendonitis / Tendinitis
ACL Injury
Adductor Tendinopathy
Anterior Ankle Impingement
Back Muscle Pain
Bulging Disc
Bursitis Knee
Bursitis Shoulder
Calf Muscle Tear
Chondromalacia Patella
Degenerative Disc Disease
Dislocated Shoulder
Facet Joint Pain
Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)
Gluteal Tendinopathy
Groin Strain
Hamstring Strain
High Ankle Sprain
Hip Arthritis (Osteoarthritis)
Hip Labral Tear
ITB Syndrome

Knee Arthritis
Knee Ligament Injuries
Meniscus Tear
Metatarsalgia
Morton's Neuroma
Muscle Strain (Muscle Pain)
Neck Arm Pain
Neck Headache
Osgood Schlatter's
Osteitis Pubis
Overuse Injuries
Patella Tendonitis (Tendinopathy)
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Peroneal Tendonitis
Pinched Nerve
Piriformis Syndrome
Plantar Fasciitis
Plica Syndrome
Poor Hip Core
Rotator Cuff Syndrome
Rotator Cuff Tear
Sacroiliac Joint Pain
Sciatica
Severs Disease
Shin Splints
Shoulder Impingement
Sinding Larsen Johansson Syndrome
Sprained Ankle
Stress Fracture
Thigh Strain
Thumb Sprain
Trochanteric Bursitis
Wry Neck

Call PhysioWorks Book Online

Common Treatments for Skateboarding Injuries

Early Injury Treatment
Avoid the HARM Factors
Soft Tissue Injury? What are the Healing Phases?
What to do after a Muscle Strain or Ligament Sprain?
Acupuncture and Dry Needling
Sub-Acute Soft Tissue Injury Treatment

Core Exercises
Closed Kinetic Chain Exercises
Active Foot Posture Correction Exercises
Gait Analysis
Biomechanical Analysis
Balance Enhancement Exercises
Proprioception & Balance Exercises
Agility & Sport-Specific Exercises
Medications?
Real Time Ultrasound Physiotherapy
Soft Tissue Massage
Walking Boot
Ankle Strapping
Brace or Support
Electrotherapy & Local Modalities
Heat Packs
Joint Mobilisation Techniques
Kinesiology Tape
Knee Arthroscopy
Neurodynamics
Prehabilitation
Strength Exercises
Stretching Exercises
Supportive Taping & Strapping
TENS Machine
Video Analysis
Yoga

FAQs Skateboarding Injuries

Common Physiotherapy Treatment Techniques
What is Pain?
Physiotherapy & Exercise
How Does Kinesiology Tape Reduce Swelling?
The Best Core Exercises
Heat Packs. Why do they feel so good?
How Do You Improve Your Balance?
How Does an Exercise Ball Help Back Pain?
How to Strap an Ankle
Sports Injury? What to do? When?
What are Common Adolescent / Children Leg Injuries?
What are Growing Pains?
What are the Early Warning Signs of an Injury?

What is a TENS Machine?

What is Chronic Pain?
What is Nerve Pain?
What is Sports Physiotherapy?
What's the Benefit of Stretching Exercises?
What's Your Core Stability Score?

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