Twenty-Year Analysis of Surfing Head and Neck Injuries Presenting to United States Emergency Departments Showed a Decrease in Overall Injuries Despite Steady Concussion Rates

Purpose: To analyze the etiology, diagnosis, and incidence of head and neck (HN) injuries among ocean surfers. Methods: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database was queried for surfing HN injuries presenting to United States emergency departments (EDs) between January 2003 and Dec...

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Main Authors: Eli M. Snyder, B.S., Elizabeth A. Rooks, B.A., Kyle K. Obana, M.D., Spencer K.Y. Chang, M.D., Christopher S. Ahmad, M.D., Charles A. Popkin, M.D., David P. Trofa, M.D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-02-01
Series:Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine, and Rehabilitation
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666061X24001512
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author Eli M. Snyder, B.S.
Elizabeth A. Rooks, B.A.
Kyle K. Obana, M.D.
Spencer K.Y. Chang, M.D.
Christopher S. Ahmad, M.D.
Charles A. Popkin, M.D.
David P. Trofa, M.D.
author_facet Eli M. Snyder, B.S.
Elizabeth A. Rooks, B.A.
Kyle K. Obana, M.D.
Spencer K.Y. Chang, M.D.
Christopher S. Ahmad, M.D.
Charles A. Popkin, M.D.
David P. Trofa, M.D.
author_sort Eli M. Snyder, B.S.
collection DOAJ
description Purpose: To analyze the etiology, diagnosis, and incidence of head and neck (HN) injuries among ocean surfers. Methods: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database was queried for surfing HN injuries presenting to United States emergency departments (EDs) between January 2003 and December 2022. Date of presentation, age, sex, race, injured body part, injury diagnosis, and disposition, as well as a brief injury narrative, were included in the data. National estimates (NEs) were calculated using the associated statistical weight of the reporting hospital. Results: A total of 1,359 surfing-related HN injuries (NE, 90,872) were included in this study. The average age at presentation was 29.2 ± 13.8 years (range, 3 to 81 years). The most commonly specified mechanisms of injury were impact with board (NE, 48,360 [53%]) and impact with ocean floor (NE, 8,690 [10%]). Concussions represented 5% of surfing HN injuries and occurred at a higher rate (8%) in the age group younger than 20 years. There were statistically significant decreases in overall HN injuries (P < .01) (coefficient, –270; 95% confidence interval [CI], –355 to –206), lacerations (P < .01) (coefficient, –208; 95% CI, –258 to –158), and impact-with-board injuries (P < .01) (coefficient, –177; 95% CI, –327 to –117) presenting to United States EDs from 2003 to 2022. Conclusions: Although surfing HN injury ED presentations decreased from 2003 to 2022, the rate of surfing-related concussions presenting to EDs remained steady. Concussions therefore remain a significant concern in surfing, especially among surfers under 20 years of age. Clinical Relevance: As the sport of surfing has increased in popularity, it is important to understand the range of surfing injuries seen in EDs. HN injuries, especially concussions, should be thoroughly investigated to better understand the risks of ocean surfing, to advise athletes, and to develop effective injury prevention strategies.
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spelling doaj-art-ce7cbabe0dd94a00b1fd6871b0e8db6a2025-08-20T02:13:31ZengElsevierArthroscopy, Sports Medicine, and Rehabilitation2666-061X2025-02-017110101410.1016/j.asmr.2024.101014Twenty-Year Analysis of Surfing Head and Neck Injuries Presenting to United States Emergency Departments Showed a Decrease in Overall Injuries Despite Steady Concussion RatesEli M. Snyder, B.S.0Elizabeth A. Rooks, B.A.1Kyle K. Obana, M.D.2Spencer K.Y. Chang, M.D.3Christopher S. Ahmad, M.D.4Charles A. Popkin, M.D.5David P. Trofa, M.D.6John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.A.; Address correspondence to Eli M. Snyder, B.S., John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, 651 Ilalo St, Honolulu, HI 96813‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬, U.S.A.John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.A.Department of Orthopedics, New York Presbyterian, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, U.S.A.Department of Orthopedics, Pali Momi Medical Center, Hawai`i Pacific Health Medical Group, Aiea, Hawaii, U.S.A.Department of Orthopedics, New York Presbyterian, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, U.S.A.Department of Orthopedics, New York Presbyterian, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, U.S.A.Department of Orthopedics, New York Presbyterian, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, U.S.A.Purpose: To analyze the etiology, diagnosis, and incidence of head and neck (HN) injuries among ocean surfers. Methods: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database was queried for surfing HN injuries presenting to United States emergency departments (EDs) between January 2003 and December 2022. Date of presentation, age, sex, race, injured body part, injury diagnosis, and disposition, as well as a brief injury narrative, were included in the data. National estimates (NEs) were calculated using the associated statistical weight of the reporting hospital. Results: A total of 1,359 surfing-related HN injuries (NE, 90,872) were included in this study. The average age at presentation was 29.2 ± 13.8 years (range, 3 to 81 years). The most commonly specified mechanisms of injury were impact with board (NE, 48,360 [53%]) and impact with ocean floor (NE, 8,690 [10%]). Concussions represented 5% of surfing HN injuries and occurred at a higher rate (8%) in the age group younger than 20 years. There were statistically significant decreases in overall HN injuries (P < .01) (coefficient, –270; 95% confidence interval [CI], –355 to –206), lacerations (P < .01) (coefficient, –208; 95% CI, –258 to –158), and impact-with-board injuries (P < .01) (coefficient, –177; 95% CI, –327 to –117) presenting to United States EDs from 2003 to 2022. Conclusions: Although surfing HN injury ED presentations decreased from 2003 to 2022, the rate of surfing-related concussions presenting to EDs remained steady. Concussions therefore remain a significant concern in surfing, especially among surfers under 20 years of age. Clinical Relevance: As the sport of surfing has increased in popularity, it is important to understand the range of surfing injuries seen in EDs. HN injuries, especially concussions, should be thoroughly investigated to better understand the risks of ocean surfing, to advise athletes, and to develop effective injury prevention strategies.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666061X24001512
spellingShingle Eli M. Snyder, B.S.
Elizabeth A. Rooks, B.A.
Kyle K. Obana, M.D.
Spencer K.Y. Chang, M.D.
Christopher S. Ahmad, M.D.
Charles A. Popkin, M.D.
David P. Trofa, M.D.
Twenty-Year Analysis of Surfing Head and Neck Injuries Presenting to United States Emergency Departments Showed a Decrease in Overall Injuries Despite Steady Concussion Rates
Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine, and Rehabilitation
title Twenty-Year Analysis of Surfing Head and Neck Injuries Presenting to United States Emergency Departments Showed a Decrease in Overall Injuries Despite Steady Concussion Rates
title_full Twenty-Year Analysis of Surfing Head and Neck Injuries Presenting to United States Emergency Departments Showed a Decrease in Overall Injuries Despite Steady Concussion Rates
title_fullStr Twenty-Year Analysis of Surfing Head and Neck Injuries Presenting to United States Emergency Departments Showed a Decrease in Overall Injuries Despite Steady Concussion Rates
title_full_unstemmed Twenty-Year Analysis of Surfing Head and Neck Injuries Presenting to United States Emergency Departments Showed a Decrease in Overall Injuries Despite Steady Concussion Rates
title_short Twenty-Year Analysis of Surfing Head and Neck Injuries Presenting to United States Emergency Departments Showed a Decrease in Overall Injuries Despite Steady Concussion Rates
title_sort twenty year analysis of surfing head and neck injuries presenting to united states emergency departments showed a decrease in overall injuries despite steady concussion rates
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666061X24001512
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