Handball-Related Head and Neck Trauma: An Analysis of the 2000-2019 National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) Database.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to report on the characteristics of head and neck injuries secondary to the sport of Handball in the United States.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This is a 20-year cross-sectional study that was conducted using the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System. Handball injuries were included in the study if they involved the head, face, eyeball, mouth, ear, or neck. The primary study predictor was age group. The study outcome was the type of injury (diagnosis) and the location of injury. Chi-squared testing (χ2) was performed to compare categorical variables.

RESULTS

Males composed more than three-fourths of the sample of patients (76.2%). White patients (38.7%) composed the most common racial group. The most common anatomical location injured was the head (45.9%). The most common primary diagnoses were contusion/abrasion (22.5%). Children were most likely to injure their head (P < 0.01) among all the anatomic regions. Young adults were least likely to injure their eyeball (P < 0.05). In contrast to children, adults were least likely to injure their head (P < 0.01). In contrast to young adults, adults were most likely to injure their eyeball (P < 0.01). With regards to types of injuries, Children were least likely to incur lacerations (P < 0.01). In contrast, young adults were most likely to incur lacerations (P < 0.01); however, young adults were least likely to suffer from contusions/abrasions (P < 0.01). In contrast to young adults, adults were most likely to suffer from contusions/abrasions (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Contusions/abrasions and brain damage were the two most common injuries in this sport. The head was the most commonly injured anatomical region. Both the type of injury and the anatomical location of injury that occur during the practice of handball significantly vary depending on the age group involved in the game.