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US Lacrosse-Funded Lacrosse Injury Study
Published in American Journal of Sports Medicine
BALTIMORE — A study co-authored by Richard Hinton, an executive committee member of the US Lacrosse Sports Science and Safety Committee, concerning lacrosse injuries in high school-aged boys and girls has been published in the September 2005 issue of the American Journal of Sports Medicine.
The study, the research for which was funded by US Lacrosse, represents the most comprehensive analysis of high school lacrosse injuries ever compiled. Its findings conclude that both boys' and girls' lacrosse are relatively safe sports, with most injuries involving sprains, strains, contusions and abrasions. The study also found that the overall injury rates for boys’ and girls’ high lacrosse were significantly lower than those at the collegiate level.
"This is a landmark publication for the sport," said Steve Stenersen, executive director of US Lacrosse. "In order to properly address injuries within the sport we need reliable data from all levels of play. This study is one of many initiatives that our Sports Science and Safety Committee has undertaken to help make the sport safer."
Data for the study was collected from the US Lacrosse supported Injury Tracking Treatment System of the Fairfax County (Va.) Public School System from 1999-2001, as well as from the Elite 300 (girls) and Top 205 (boys) summer lacrosse camps in 1999, 2000 and 2001. These data collection efforts have continued in the ensuing years.
For boys' high school lacrosse the most common injury was an ankle ligament sprain related to indirect force (i.e., non-contact mechanisms such as cutting and dodging). The second most common injury was a concussive event, caused by legal body-to-body contact or object-to-body contact. The most severe injuries in terms of days lost were ligament sprains to the knee and fractures of the hand/wrist.
For girls' high school lacrosse the most common injury was also an ankle ligament sprain. The head/face area was also one of the primary injury areas for girls, but contusions rather than concussive events were the more common injury type. The data for this study pre-dates the use of protective eyewear in women’s lacrosse, which was recommended by US Lacrosse for 2004 and was mandated beginning in 2005. The most common severe injuries in terms of time lost were also fractures of the wrist and ligament sprains of the knee.
The injury rate for boys (2.89 per 1,000 athletic exposures) was slightly higher than that for girls (2.54). Boys were more often injured during games, but girls were more likely to be injured in practice situations.
The study was authored by Hinton, MD, MPH (Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery, Union Memorial Hospital and MedStar Sports Health, Baltimore, Md.), Andrew E. Lincoln, ScD, MS (Director of Sports and Orthopedic Research for MedStar Sports Health, Baltimore, Md.), Jon L. Almquist, ATC (Fairfax County (Va.) Public Schools Athletic Training Program), Wiemi A. Douoguih, MD (Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery, Union Memorial Hostpital, Baltimore, Md.) and Krishn M. Sharma (Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery, Union Memorial Hostpital, Baltimore, Md.). Hinton, Lincoln and Almquist are all members of the US Lacrosse Sports Science and Safety Committee.
Lacrosse Injury Study
• Click here to read the complete study (PDF)
The study is reprinted with permission from the American Journal of Sports Medicine
The US Lacrosse Sports Science and Safety Committee was formed in 1999 to lead injury prevention and sports medicine issues involved with the game of lacrosse. The committee meets three times a year in Baltimore at US Lacrosse national headquarters and includes representatives from the NCAA, NFHS, NATA and other organizations. Selected committee members conduct informative presentations at the US Lacrosse National Convention each January. The committee also issues position statements on important lacrosse safety issues.
US Lacrosse, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the national governing body for men's and women's lacrosse.
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