High school football injuries in Birmingham, Alabama.

To investigate high school football injuries, we analyzed 1,877 injuries (661 game, 1,216 practice) treated from 1976 through 1979 at the Sports Medicine Clinic at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. The common injury types were sprain (32.2%), contusion (24.8%), strain (12.4%), fracture (11.0%), tear (3.8%), dislocation (2.1%), myositis ossificans (1.4%), tendinitis (1.3%), and concussion (1.0%). Position of the player injured was quarterback (8.7%), running back (19.6%), receiver (12.4%), offensive lineman (23.7%), defensive lineman (10.2%), defensive back (9.2%), and linebacker (9.0%). Body areas affected included head/neck (7.6%), shoulder (13.3%), upper arm (1.4%), elbow (3.4%), lower arm (2.0%), wrist (2.9%), hand/fingers (11.9%), chest/ribs (3.4%), back (4.9%), abdomen (0.7%), groin (0.7%), hip (2.4%), upper leg (4.6%), knee (22.2%), lower leg (4.0%), ankle (10.9%), and foot/toes (4.2%). These data are similar to those in previous reports, although subtle differences suggest variations in injury patterns due to rule changes and equipment modification.