Work

Incidence and Trends in Paediatric Trampoline-Related Injuries

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Trampolining in the United Kingdom (UK) has seen a major increase in popularity among children, leading to a rising incidence of associated injuries. While international studies have described the injury patterns, recent UK-specific epidemiological data are limited. This study investigates the incidences and trends of trampoline-related orthopaedic injuries within a UK NHS Trust. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted at a Trust with two district general hospitals. Electronic medical records were analysed for all patients under 18 years of age referred to the Trauma & Orthopaedics (T&O) department from 13/10/2023 until 01/11/2024 with a trampoline-related orthopaedic injury. Data extracted included age, sex, injury type, anatomical location, and management. RESULTS: From 3,025 paediatric referrals to T&O, 96 (3.2%) were trampoline-related. The mean age was 8.7 years old. The majority of patients were female (59.4%, n=57). Fractures constituted the majority of injuries (n=57). The ankle was the most common site of injury overall (27.1%, n=26), and for both fractures (n=14) and soft tissue injuries (n=12). The wrist and elbow were the next most common fracture sites, with similar frequency (n=11). The admission rate was low (2.1%, n=2); only one patient required surgical intervention. A clear bimodal seasonal variation was observed, with incidence peaking during April (n=14) and August (n=12). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides contemporary UK data demonstrating that orthopaedic trampoline-related injuries, while common, predominantly result in minor fractures manageable conservatively. The ankle is the most common site. The strong correlation with seasonal spikes highlights a critical period for targeted public health initiatives and awareness campaigns to minimise risk. Despite the general minor nature of these injuries, thorough assessment is essential to recognise potential neurovascular compromise.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.94250