Serious injuries caused by ski jumping in Norway 1977-81
Wester, K.
Tidsskrift for den Norske Laegeforening Tidsskrift for Praktisk Medicin Ny Raekke 104(33): 2317-2319
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-2001 PMID: 6523464 Document Number: 230921
Among 2200 licensed ski jumpers in Norway, at least 12 injuries occurred causing permanent medical disability of .gtoreq. 10%. The risk of being seriously injuried is .apprx. 5.permill. in a 5 yr period, higher in the age group 15-17. Seven injuries were very serious (4 CNS lesions, 2 leg amputations and 1 blindness of 1 eye) whereas 5 were less serious (sequelae from to fractures of the lower extremities). The 1st jump of the day is particularily dangerous, and so are the beginning and end of the season. It seems dangerous to use more than one standard heel block. Poor preparation of the jump may have contributed to the accidents. Based on the findings, several prophylactic measures are suggested.