Skiing injuries in children and adults: a comparative study from an 8-year period.

The investigation is a retrospective analysis of 2756 skiing injuries from two centers in a Swedish skiing area during the years 1972 to, and including, 1979. The relative frequency of lower extremity injuries successively diminished, while a corresponding increase of upper extremity injuries was found. The relative frequency of ankle and foot injuries declined, while the frequency of knee injuries did not change, knee injuries still being the most common skiing injury. The relative frequency of fractures of the lower leg showed a statistically significant decrease, but, in children, constituted 16% of all injuries at the end of the investigation period. Further studies, with special regard to the children's prerequisites, seem to be necessary to define the desired characteristics of an optimally functioning safety binding for children.