Rollerskating is an activity that has become increasingly popular over the
past several years among children and adults in Denmark, During a 7-month p
eriod in 1997, 300 in-line skaters and 107 roller skaters were treated in t
he Emergency Department, Esbjerg County Hospital. Of these, 60.4% had minor
injuries (sprains, bruises, lacerations) and 39.6% fractures. There was no
statistical significant difference in the types of injury between skater g
roups. The most common serious injury was fracture of the wrist, which occu
rred in both skater groups (25%, n=102), Almost all of the fractures of the
wrist and elbow occurred among skaters who did not wear wrist or elbow gua
rds. Only 20% of the skaters used protective equipment. In-line skaters use
d protective equipment more often than did roller skaters. Of all accidents
, 69% occurred on public roads (street and sidewalk).