The epidemiology of sports-related fractures of the hand

SummaryObjectiveTo describe the incidence and epidemiology of acute sports-related hand fractures in the adult general population.DesignRetrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database recording all inpatient and outpatient fractures in a well-defined population during 2000.SettingDepartment of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, UK.ResultsDuring 2000, 1430 hand fractures were recorded, 320 of which (22.4%) were sports injuries. Males were more commonly injured (86%). The overall incidence was 60/105 (104/105 among males and 17/105 among females). The average age was 24 years. There were 39 (12.2%) carpal, 108 (33.8%) metacarpal and 173 (54.1%) phalangeal fractures. Damage to the first and fifth rays was most common. Open fractures were uncommon (n = 7; 2.2%). Eight sports were responsible for 87.8% of fractures, each sport displaying a characteristic pattern of injury within the hand. The majority of fractures (87.2%) were treated on an outpatient basis.ConclusionsSporting activity accounts for 22.4% of all hand fractures, with relatively few requiring operative intervention. Young males are most commonly affected. Certain sports are associated with distinct fracture patterns, allowing appropriate preventive measures to be taken.