Fractures are common among high school athletes and can impair their ability to remain active in sports as well as cause them to incur high medical costs, according to a study published in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine.
Fractures represent the fourth most common injury in athletes and happen more often during competition than in practice. According to the study, which recorded injuries in both male and female high school athletes, about 16.1 percent of the fracture patients needed surgery, which exceeds the 4.9 percent of patients with other injuries requiring surgery. Additionally, 95 percent of all fracture patients required diagnostic imaging.
The study, titled "Epidemiology of US High School Sports-Related Fractures, 2005-2009," said that fractures required more time off from competition than other injuries, taking on average three weeks or more of recuperation before returning to the activity.
The researchers suggest implementing more effective prevention methods among high school athletes.
Read the study abstract.
Read other coverage on sports medicine studies:
- Study: Gender Could Influence Likelihood of Dominant Leg ACL Injury
- Study: Young Patients May Not Need Surgery For a Torn ACL
- Study: Biologic Knee Replacement Could Most Efficiently Slow Arthritis Progression
Fractures represent the fourth most common injury in athletes and happen more often during competition than in practice. According to the study, which recorded injuries in both male and female high school athletes, about 16.1 percent of the fracture patients needed surgery, which exceeds the 4.9 percent of patients with other injuries requiring surgery. Additionally, 95 percent of all fracture patients required diagnostic imaging.
The study, titled "Epidemiology of US High School Sports-Related Fractures, 2005-2009," said that fractures required more time off from competition than other injuries, taking on average three weeks or more of recuperation before returning to the activity.
The researchers suggest implementing more effective prevention methods among high school athletes.
Read the study abstract.
Read other coverage on sports medicine studies:
- Study: Gender Could Influence Likelihood of Dominant Leg ACL Injury
- Study: Young Patients May Not Need Surgery For a Torn ACL
- Study: Biologic Knee Replacement Could Most Efficiently Slow Arthritis Progression