In-line skating fractures in children.

Seventy-eight fractures are reported in 61 children who fell while in-line skating. Distal radius or radius and ulna fractures as a result of falls on the outstretched hand occurred in > 75% of cases. Almost half of the patients were novices with < 4 weeks of experience on in-line skates. In fact, one in eight children sustained a fracture during the first attempt at the sport. Closed reductions were needed in 26 cases. Only two of 61 children were wearing any protective equipment at the time of the fracture.