Comparative Study of Craniofacial Injuries in Skiing Versus Snowboarding: A NEISS Database Study - PubMed (original) (raw)

Comparative Study

. 2025 Jul-Aug;36(5):1497-1501.

doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000010883. Epub 2024 Nov 13.

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Comparative Study

Comparative Study of Craniofacial Injuries in Skiing Versus Snowboarding: A NEISS Database Study

Benjamin F Bitner et al. J Craniofac Surg. 2025 Jul-Aug.

Abstract

Introduction: Skiing and snowboarding are popular winter sports which are rising in popularity. There is a lack of detailed data in the literature regarding skiing and snowboarding head and neck injuries, especially the rate of concussions with helmet use.

Methods: The authors queried the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database to characterize patient demographics, injury types, subsite injured, and ED disposition associated with skiing and snowboarding-related head and neck injuries between 2009 and 2020 in the US.

Results: An estimated 87,994 head and neck-related ski and snowboarding injuries were reported from 2011 to 2020 nationally. Ski-related and snowboard-related injuries comprised 51.9% and 48.1% of injuries, respectively. Ski-related injuries accounted for the majority of admissions (69.2%). Head injuries were the most common (68.3%), followed by injuries to the face (15.3%) and neck (12.2%). Concussions (57.7%) were the most common overall injury type and comprised 49.2% of admissions. Concussions were more common in snowboarding injuries (65.6% versus 50.3%, P<0.001), whereas lacerations (11.1% versus 14.4%), contusion/abrasions (6.7% versus 11.1%), and fractures (2.9% versus 7.0%) were more common in ski-related injuries. Cases with negative helmet status were associated with a greater proportion of concussion injuries (79.8% versus 70.9%, P<0.001).

Conclusions: Patients presenting with skiing or snowboarding injuries require a thorough head and neck examination. A comprehensive history and physical should be performed with a focus on helmet use and evaluation for concussion, lacerations, and fractures. Helmet use is strongly recommended to prevent the risk of head injury.

Level of evidence: IV.

Keywords: Admission; NEISS; head; helmet; injuries; neck; skiing; snowboarding.

Copyright © 2024 by Mutaz B. Habal, MD.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

References

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