SEDL / STP / STP1022-EB / STP19450S

Skier Injury Trends

Johnson, RJ
Professor of orthopaedic surgery, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT

Ettlinger, CF
President, Vermont Ski Safety Equipment, Inc., Underhill Center, VT

Shealy, JE
Professor of industrial engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY

Pages: 7    Published: Jan 1989

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Abstract

Between 1972 and 1987, the authors evaluated prospectively all 5701 injuries reported to the injury clinic operating in the base lodge of a moderate sized ski area in northern Vermont. During that time approximately 1 690 000 skier visits occurred at the ski area. The total injury population was divided into 28 groups and subgroups and examined by regression analysis for long-term trends.

Among upper body injuries, only lacerations showed a positive improvement. Among lower extremity injuries, virtually all injuries below the knee improved dramatically, some groups by more than 80%. Knee injuries, although improved as a group, showed a marked 2.7-fold increase in serious (third-degree) sprains, usually involving the anterior cruciate ligament.