[Inline skating--typical injuries and prevention].

In a field study we evaluated 500 inline skaters and documented the risk for injury as well as active and passive prophylactic methods. Inline-skating carries high risk for injuries. A total of 41% of the 500 examined subjects got injured. 73% of the injuries attacked soft tissue, 22% of the subjects suffered in distorsions and 5% fractures. 24% of the 222 injured people required specific therapy. Most of the injuries occur at the upper extremities. The fingers, wrist or elbow were involved in 78% of the fractures and 58% of the distorsions. Only every second skater has skating skills that allow him to break appropriately. 19% wore all necessary protectors. 21% did not use any protecting device. Wrist protectors were used most followed by knee and elbow protectors.