The epidemiology of sports-related fractures of the hand.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the incidence and epidemiology of acute sports-related hand fractures in the adult general population.

DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database recording all inpatient and outpatient fractures in a well-defined population during 2000.

SETTING: Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, UK.

RESULTS: During 2000, 1430 hand fractures were recorded, 320 of which (22.4%) were sports injuries. Males were more commonly injured (86%). The overall incidence was 60/10(5)(104/10(5) among males and 17/10(5) among females). The average age was 24 years. There were 39 (12.2%) carpal, 108 (33.8%) metacarpal and 173 (54.1%) phalangeal fractures. Damage to the first and fifth rays was most common. Open fractures were uncommon (n=7; 2.2%). Eight sports were responsible for 87.8% of fractures, each sport displaying a characteristic pattern of injury within the hand. The majority of fractures (87.2%) were treated on an outpatient basis.

CONCLUSIONS: Sporting activity accounts for 22.4% of all hand fractures, with relatively few requiring operative intervention. Young males are most commonly affected. Certain sports are associated with distinct fracture patterns, allowing appropriate preventive measures to be taken.