THE GOALKEEPERS FEAR OF THE NETS

The soccer goalkeeper is particularly prone to injuries of the hands. We report three cases in which soccer goal-posts were the cause of a h itherto unrecorded type of accident, which resulted in severe ring avu lsion injuries requiring surgical amputation or replantation. In each case the injury occurred when a ring worn by the goalkeeper caught on one of the hooks by which the netting is attached to the goal-posts. P roposals made for the prevention of such injuries include increased aw areness through education, discouragement of the wearing of rings duri ng sporting activities and the redesign of the attachment systems of g oal nets.