An analysis of hip dislocations among snowboarders and skiers: a 10-year prospective study from 1992 to 2002.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the types and mechanisms of hip dislocation sustained while snowboarding and skiing, a subject about which there have been few studies.

METHODS: In a prospective cohort study between 1992 and 2002, we studied 30 snowboarders and 8 skiers with hip dislocations.

RESULTS: The incidence of dislocation with or without fracture of the hip joint in snowboarders was five times higher than in skiers (0.45 per 100,000 visits for snowboarders vs. 0.09 for skiers). The most remarkable differences between skiing and snowboarding hip injuries were that in the former there was a significantly higher incidence of anterior hip dislocation (p < 0.05) and in the latter there was a significantly higher incidence of posterior hip dislocation (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the rate of type V hip dislocation (with fracture of the femoral head) was higher in snowboarders (9 of 30 cases [30.0%]) than in skiers (1 of 8 cases [12.5%]).

CONCLUSION: Hip dislocations are much more common in snowboarders than in skiers. Furthermore, the causes and types of hip dislocation differ between snowboarding and skiing.