• Alistair Patton, Jim Bourne, and Jean-Claude Theis.
• Orthopaedic Department, Lancaster Royal Infirmary, Lancaster, Lancashire, UK.
• N. Z. Med. J. 2010 Jun 11; 123 (1316): 20-5.

AimsThe aim of this study was to determine the nature and circumstances of lower limb fractures caused by skiing and snowboarding at the Otago skifields that required operative treatment at Dunedin Hospital from 2002 to 2008.MethodsPatients were retrospectively identified from clinical records.Results108 cases were included in the study; 28 snowboarders and 80 skiers. Snowboarders had more fractures involving the ankle whereas skiers had more fractures of the proximal third of the tibia and fibula. Snowboarders were more likely to fracture the fibula compared to skiers. Nearly two-thirds of fractures in snowboarders were to the left limb whereas in skiers a laterality was not demonstrated. Most fractures were the result of falls but a greater proportion of snowboarders had jump-related injuries.ConclusionsSnowboarding related lower limb fractures are more likely to involve the ankle and be left sided. Skiing related lower limb fractures are more proximal with no laterality.

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