An MOR Initiative to Keep Kids Skateboarding Safely
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there was a 23 percent jump in reported skateboard injuries for kids younger than age 15 between 2013 and 2015. Experts agree that injuries have increased with the skyrocketing popularity of skateboarding, which is often referred to as the "No. 1 Extreme Sport" in the US. The threat of a serious injury often increases as a skateboarder develops riskier tricks. But even the skateboard "rookies" are at risk of injuries.
"While we are concerned about all injuries, especially concussions, we typically see a large number of finger, wrist, forearm and elbow fractures," says Dr. Robert Wysocki of the MOR Hand, Wrist & Elbow Institute. "And, it's a shame because many of these are preventable."
To help keep kids skateboarding safely this season, MOR physicians are joining forces with local community park districts throughout Chicagoland to promote safe skateboarding. The Skate Safe initiative aims to help reduce the number of skateboard injuries, which peak in spring and summer months.
According to experts, most skateboard injuries occur when a skater loses their balance and falls off the skateboard, landing on an outstretched arm or hitting his or her head.