Increase in trampoline parks linked to more emergency department visits

1. The number of trampoline park injuries (TPIs) increased significantly from 581 in 2010 to 6932 in 2014.

2. Compared to home trampoline injuries (HTIs), TPIs were less likely to involve head injury, more likely to involve lower extremity injury, more likely to involve a dislocation, and more likely to warrant admission.

Evidence Rating Level: 2 (Good)

Study Rundown: In the past couple of years, trampoline parks have gained popularity in the United States. Up until recently, the majority of trampoline-associated injuries in the emergency departments had been due to home trampoline injuries (HTIs). While there is a plethora of information on HTIs, injury types, and mechanism of injuries, little is known regarding injuries sustained at trampoline parks. This study addressed national trends in TPIs and compared demographic features and injury characteristics between TPIs and HTIs. Utilizing data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), results demonstrated that patients who sustained TPIs were more likely to be older male children. Compared to HTIs, TPIs were more likely to warrant admission and to involve a dislocated joint and the lower extremities, but less likely to involve the head. With the rise in TPIs, it is evident that the use of a trampoline in general carries a high risk of injury to children. Understanding the features and mechanisms of injuries associated with trampoline parks could help guide the implementation of safety measures to address these risks.

Click to read the study, published today in Pediatrics

Relevant Reading: Too many pediatric trampoline injuries.

In-Depth [retrospective cohort]: Data in this study was retrieved from the NEISS, a database that includes a 100-hospital statistically representative sample of US emergency departments. Results indicated that TPIs increased from 581 in 2010 to 6932 in 2014 (p=.045), without an increase in HTIs (p=0.13). Since 2011, trampoline parks have been the most common location of recreational facility trampoline injuries. TPI patients were more likely to be older than HTI patients with an average age of 13.3 years (p < 0.001) compared to 9.5 years and were also more likely to be male (58.8% vs. 53.5% respectively). TPIs were more likely to be sprains (OR 1.61; 95% CI, 1.28–2.02) and dislocations (OR 2.12; 95% CI, 1.10–4.09). TPIs were also more likely to involve head injury (OR 0.64; 95% CI, 0.46–0.89), upper extremity injury (OR 0.40; 95% CI, 0.29–0.54), and lower extremity injury (OR 2.39; 95% CI, 1.91–2.98) when compared to HTIs. The most common mechanism of injury at a trampoline park was during landing (33% of injuries), and involved a twisted ankle or knee. Other mechanisms of injury involved another jumper, contact with the trampoline frame, springs, or injuries while flipping. In comparison to HTIs, TPIs were more likely to be a dislocation (OR 2.12; 95% CI, 1.10–4.09) and more likely to warrant admission to the hospital OR 1.76; 95% CI, 1.19–2.61).

Image: PD

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