• Hiroyasu Ogawa, Hiroshi Sumi, Yasuhiko Sumi, and Katsuji Shimizu.
• Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gifu University, Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, Gifu, 501-1194 Japan. h-ogawa@k7.dion.ne.jp
• Am J Sports Med. 2010 Mar 1; 38 (3): 538-42.

BackgroundInformation regarding pelvic fractures sustained during snowboarding is scant.PurposeTo analyze the epidemiologic data, injury patterns, and types of pelvic fractures sustained during snowboarding.Study DesignCase series; Level of evidence, 4.MethodsWe analyzed the epidemiologic factors, injury patterns, and types of pelvic fractures in 145 patients with snowboarding-related pelvic fractures who were admitted to our institution from the 1998-1999 to the 2006-2007 ski season.ResultsThe incidence of snowboarding-related pelvic fractures was 0.102 per 10 000 ski lift tickets, which amounted to 2% of all snowboarding-related fractures (fifth most common type of fracture among all snowboarding-related fractures). Of the pelvic fractures, 85.5% were stable (type A according to the Tile classification) and 14.5% were unstable (types B and C according to the Tile classification). Isolated sacral fractures had the second-highest incidence (24.1%) after pubic bone and/or ischium fractures (46.9%). A distinct female prevalence was seen (52.4%). Jumps and isolated falls were the main mechanisms of injury (80%), and the incidence of collision was significantly higher in the unstable group than in the stable group (P = .037). In all, 57.9% patients classified their skill level as "intermediate," and only 9.7% of patients had received professional snowboarding lessons. A total of 30 subjects (20.8%) had other injuries along with pelvic fractures; the patients with multiple injuries were significantly more frequent in the unstable group than in the stable group (P = .035).ConclusionPelvic fractures resulting from snowboarding accidents included a higher proportion with isolated sacral fractures in the stable group and a lower prevalence of associated injuries in the unstable group compared with those resulting from other causes.

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