English summary: TRAMPOLINE INJURIES

Background

The number of recreational trampolines has increased in Finnish households. There also appears to be a drastic increase in trampoline-related injuries in pediatric patients. The aim of this study was to quantify and describe trampoline-related injuries in North Finnish pediatric patients.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of medical data was used in the study covering children 16 years and younger treated for trampoline-related injuries in Oulu University Hospital over a five-month period of time from May 1 to September 30, 2005. Medical records were reviewed and additional details regarding the injuries were obtained by questionnaire.

Results

Altogether 76 patients were treated for trampoline-related injury. This represented 13.4% of morbidity from accidental trauma amongst children during this period and in this age group. In 57 (86%) cases there had been multiple jumpers on the trampoline at the time of injury. 25 (38%) of the injuries had occurred on the trampoline, in 25 (38%) cases a child had fallen off, in 8 (12%) cases there had been a collision with another jumper and in 5 (8%) incidents the person had jumped onto a trampoline from a high platform. Only 3 (5%) children hurt themselves when jumping alone on the trampoline. The use of general anesthesia in orthopedic procedures was necessary in 31 (41%) of cases in all.

Conclusions

Based on the study 50% of traumas (falling off and collisions) could have been avoided by using a safety net and by jumping one at a time on a trampoline. The safety instructions and the need for a safety net should be emphasized to both the supervising adults and the children.