Not so fun in the sun: An analysis of head and neck injury patterns resulting from water sports

Background: A variety of injuries occur with participation in water sports and can frequently range from minor contusions and lacerations to serious fractures and brain bleeds. Closed head injuries, which have garnered increasing attention in recent years due to potentially long-lasting complications, especially when they occur in the developing brain, also have been noted to occur frequently. Purpose: To estimate the incidence, demographics and injury patterns for patients presenting to the ED with injuries to the head and neck resulting from water sport activities. Study design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods : The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) was evaluated for head and neck injuries from water sport activities from 2014 to 2018. The database was queried for “Water skiing, tubing, and surfing.” All age ranges were included. Relevant entries were examined for incidence, patient characteristics, location of injury, and type of injury. Results: There were 689 relevant NEISS entries for head and neck injuries resulting from water sports from 2014-2018. The median age among those injured was 21 years old and the majority were males (64%). The most common water sports that resulted in injury were surfing (37%), inner tube related injuries (32%), followed by injuries resulting from wake board use (14%). The most common injury locations were the head (40%), followed by the face (34%), neck (14%), and ear (8%). Lacerations were the most common type of injury reported (34%), followed by closed head injuries (30%). Other notable type of injuries included facial fractures (5%) and also tympanic membrane perforations (3.7%). There was also a nearly 1% rate of reported intracranial bleeds among those injured. Conclusion: A large number of reported water sport injuries were closed head injuries that occurred in young adults. These types of injuries have been shown to have long-term detrimental effects in the developing brain. This necessitates the need for greater emphasis on head protection during water sports, something that, at this current time, is grossly under-utilized. In addition, patients participating in water sports suffered from a variety of head and neck traumas including facial laceration, fractures, and tympanic membrane perforations. Clinical relevance: This study will also hopefully also assist health care providers when examining and treating patients that present with head and neck injuries related to water sport activities. What is known about the subject: While millions enjoy the thrill of water sports each year, these activities have been noted to pose significant risks for injury. What this study adds to existing knowledge: Given the previously documented risks associated with these activities, this study will provide much needed information to the public on the risks associated with these activities, and also assist medical providers when caring for patients that present with these injuries.