The Epidemiology, Management, and Outcome of Field Hockey-related Fractures in a Standard Population
The Epidemiology, Management, and Outcome of Field Hockey-related Fractures in a Standard Population
Blog Article
Background: Field hockey is one of the most popular sports in the world, yet little is known about patient outcome following fracture injuries sustained during this sport.Objectives: The aim of this study is to describe the epidemiology, management, and outcome of field hockey-related fractures in a known UK population at all skill levels.Materials and Methods: All fractures sustained during field hockey from 2007 to 2008 within the adult Lothian METAL DETOX PRE-TREATMENT population were prospectively recorded and confirmed by an orthopedic surgeon during treatment at the sole adult orthopedic center in the region.Nonresident individuals were not included in the study.Follow-up data were obtained in September 2010 to determine return rates and times to field hockey.
Results: Nineteen fractures were recorded over the study period in 19 patients.Seventeen (89%) of the fractures were recorded in the upper limb, with 15 (79%) recorded in hand.Eighteen fractures (85%) in 18 patients (95%) were followed up at a mean interval of 31 months (range: 25-37 months; standard deviation [SD] 2.1 months).The mean time for return to field hockey from injury was 10.
8 weeks (range: 3-26 weeks; SD 7.1 weeks).For patients with upper limb injuries, the mean time was 9.2 weeks (range: 3-20 weeks; SD 5.7 weeks), compared to 22 weeks (range: 18-26 weeks; SD 5.
7 weeks) for patients with lower limb injuries.Eleven percent of the cohort did not return to field hockey.Seventy-eight percent of the cohort returned to field hockey at the same level or higher.Fifty percent had ongoing related problems, yet only 17% had impaired field hockey ability because of these problems.Fractures with the highest morbidity in not returning to field hockey were as follows: Metacarpal 14% and finger phalanx 13%.
Conclusions: The significant majority of field hockey-related fractures are sustained in the Chillum upper limb, notably the hand.Around ninety percent of patients sustaining a fracture during field hockey will return to this sport at a similar level.While half of these will have persisting symptoms 2 years postinjury, only one-third of symptomatic patients will have impaired field hockey ability because of this.