Summertime Orthopaedic Injury Prevention

Play Safe this Summer

by Spencer Romine, MD

Summer is right around the corner! It’s time for trampolines, playgrounds, and yard work. Unfortunately, these three activities also correlate with the most common orthopaedic injuries that are seen each summer. Everyone could use a helpful reminder on safety to prevent your next summer fun day from ending up at the emergency room or urgent care.

Trampolines

Often called job security for an orthopaedic surgeon (along with ATV’s), trampolines account for a significant number of fractures and sprains each summer. The most common reason for an injury is almost always more than one person on the trampoline at a time. Sure, it may not be as fun when someone else isn’t skyrocketing you in the air, but spending your summer in a cast or needing surgery should make up for it. Never allow more than one child on the trampoline at a time!

Playgrounds

Everyone loves a playground and for the most part, falls and injuries are sometimes just unavoidable. Parents are often the ones pushing their child in a swing or riding down a slide with a toddler. Anytime a child is sitting between the legs of a parent on a slide (or snow sledding during the winter), there is a significant risk of injury to the child. A child sitting in front of a parent often results in a break of the lower leg bone (tibia) of the child. The child’s foot gets stuck during the descent and the force of the parent causes a fracture. Never let your toddler go down a slide sitting between your legs!

Yard Work

Two words – lawnmower toes! Each summer since I began orthopaedic training there has always been at least one instance of the dreaded lawnmower toes. This occurs most commonly when someone mows the lawn without shoes on and…your imagination is probably correct. Some of the more gruesome, contaminated, and mangled feet are the result. Children are also at significant risk for injury when an adult allows them to ride along on a mower as well. Never mow the grass without shoes and never let a child ride along on a mower with an adult!

Have a wonderful and safe summer! 