Background: Most reports on in-line skating injuries describe severe injuries admitted to injury clinics. Little is known about the overall rate of injury and the contribution of the different disciplines.
Methods: In a retrospective inquiry data on injuries were obtained of 105 in-line skaters of whose 69% were active in fitness skating, 59% in jumping/grinding and 51% in the halfpipe. Beside the nature, location and degree of the injury, information was given on where the injury happened and whether protectors were worn at the time of injury.
Results: Of 197 injuries 145 healed without medical treatment, 28 needed medical advice once, 22 several times and 2 needed hospitalisation. Injury location were 38% in the upper, 31% in the lower extremities, 21% in the hip/pelvis region and 10% on the head. The most frequent injuries pertained to concussions and skin lesions, 35% each, followed by ligament injuries with 10% and fractures with 5%. Simple injuries were 83% in fitness skating, 70% in jumping/grinding and 60% in the halfpipe. Several visits were necessary for 4% of fitness skaters, 10% of jumpers/grinders and 23% in halfpipe injured persons. All four protectors were worn at the time of injury by 5% in fitness skating, 18% in jumping/grinding and 55% in the halfpipe. No protectors were worn in 26% of the fitness injuries, in 9% jumping/grinding and in 6% in the halfpipe.
Conclusions: The results reveal an apparent discipline specific degree of danger and that fitness in-line skating is less dangerous than the resulting benefits for preventive medicine.