[Skateboard accidents. 168 skateboard accidents treated at the Odense Hospital Emergency Department during the period 1 January 1980 to 12 December 1988].

During recent years, an increasing number of skateboard accidents have been registered in Odense Hospital. Typically, boys aged 10-14 years are involved and these had fallen on outstretched arms. No injuries endangering life were registered but 36% had fractures and half of these were localized to the wrist. Approximately 8% of the injuries resulted in hospitalization. Despite prohibition in the traffic legislation, 65% of the injuries occurred in trafficated regions and only 15% occurred in specially made skateboard rinks. The real risk involved in board skating are unknown but, in this selected group of board skaters, no significant connection could be demonstrated between routine experience in board skating, employment of protective equipment and frequency of fractures. Employment of protective equipment was commonest among persons who were members of a club and among those injured on skateboard ramps. The frequency of fractures was significantly higher among persons injured on ramps than among the remainder. Possible prophylactic measures are discussed and simple rules are recommended.