Ice Hockey InjuriesIce Hockey InjuriesIce Hockey InjuriesIce Hockey Injuries

Michael J. Stuart MDMichael J. Stuart MDUSA Hockey Chief Medical OfficerUSA Hockey Chief Medical Officer

Safety and Protective Equipment CommitteeSafety and Protective Equipment Committee, ,

Michael J. Stuart MDMichael J. Stuart MDUSA Hockey Chief Medical OfficerUSA Hockey Chief Medical Officer

Safety and Protective Equipment CommitteeSafety and Protective Equipment Committee, ,

“ “a a finessefinesse sport sport that requiresthat requires dexteritydexterity,, speed speed and and powerpower””

ICE HOCKEY INJURIESICE HOCKEY INJURIESICE HOCKEY INJURIESICE HOCKEY INJURIES

““a violent a violent sport played withsport played with clubsclubs, a, a bullet bullet, , andand knives knives””

ICE HOCKEY INJURIESICE HOCKEY INJURIESICE HOCKEY INJURIESICE HOCKEY INJURIES

1.1. Have FunHave Fun2.2. Play HardPlay Hard3.3. Play SmartPlay Smart4.4. Play FairPlay Fair

1.1. Have FunHave Fun2.2. Play HardPlay Hard3.3. Play SmartPlay Smart4.4. Play FairPlay Fair

1.1. Have FunHave Fun

2.2. Play HardPlay Hard3.3. Play SmartPlay Smart4.4. Play FairPlay Fair

1.1. Have FunHave Fun

2.2. Play HardPlay Hard3.3. Play SmartPlay Smart4.4. Play FairPlay Fair

1.1. Have FunHave Fun2.2. Play HardPlay Hard

3.3. Play SmartPlay Smart4.4. Play FairPlay Fair

1.1. Have FunHave Fun2.2. Play HardPlay Hard

3.3. Play SmartPlay Smart4.4. Play FairPlay Fair

1.1. Have FunHave Fun2.2. Play HardPlay Hard3.3. Play SmartPlay Smart

4.4. Play FairPlay Fair

1.1. Have FunHave Fun2.2. Play HardPlay Hard3.3. Play SmartPlay Smart

4.4. Play FairPlay Fair

XX Deliver a hit to the head Deliver a hit to the headXX Check from behind Check from behindXX Use your stick as a weapon Use your stick as a weaponX X Leave your feet to give a Leave your feet to give a checkcheckXX Drop your head near the Drop your head near the boardsboards

NEVER !NEVER !NEVER !NEVER !

levellevel of participation of participation gamegame versus practice versus practice exposureexposure protective protective equipmentequipment player player positionposition violent violent behaviorbehavior personal personal susceptibilitysusceptibility

(pre-existing injury and style of (pre-existing injury and style of play)play)

INJURY RISKINJURY RISKINJURY RISKINJURY RISK

Risk of injury in games increases with each Risk of injury in games increases with each higher higher level of participation.level of participation.

INJURY RISKINJURY RISKINJURY RISKINJURY RISK

DivisionDivision Injuries per 1,000 hours Injuries per 1,000 hours Mite* (n=2)Mite* (n=2) 0.80.8 Squirt (n=10)Squirt (n=10) 0.60.6 Peewee (n=44)Peewee (n=44) 3.83.8 Bantam (n=32)Bantam (n=32) 3.03.0 High School# (n=9)High School# (n=9) 9.39.3 Junior AJunior A 96.1 96.1

INJURY RISKINJURY RISKINJURY RISKINJURY RISK

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Mite Squirt Peewee Bantam HighSchool

JuniorA

INJURY RISKINJURY RISKINJURY RISKINJURY RISK

Stuart MJ & Smith AM, AJSM 1995Stuart MJ & Smith AM, AJSM 1995Stuart MJ & Smith AM, AJSM 1995Stuart MJ & Smith AM, AJSM 1995

““Injuries in Junior A Ice Hockey.Injuries in Junior A Ice Hockey.A Three-Year Prospective Study”A Three-Year Prospective Study”““Injuries in Junior A Ice Hockey.Injuries in Junior A Ice Hockey.

A Three-Year Prospective Study”A Three-Year Prospective Study”

Game injury rate of Game injury rate of 96.196.1 per per 1000 player game-hours 1000 player game-hours

Players were Players were ??? ??? more likely more likely to be injured in a game as to be injured in a game as compared to a practice.compared to a practice.

Game injury rate of Game injury rate of 96.196.1 per per 1000 player game-hours 1000 player game-hours

Players were Players were ??? ??? more likely more likely to be injured in a game as to be injured in a game as compared to a practice.compared to a practice.

INJURY RISKINJURY RISKINJURY RISKINJURY RISK

Stuart MJ & Smith AM, AJSM 1995Stuart MJ & Smith AM, AJSM 1995Stuart MJ & Smith AM, AJSM 1995Stuart MJ & Smith AM, AJSM 1995

““Injuries in Junior A Ice Hockey.Injuries in Junior A Ice Hockey.A Three-Year Prospective Study”A Three-Year Prospective Study”““Injuries in Junior A Ice Hockey.Injuries in Junior A Ice Hockey.

A Three-Year Prospective Study”A Three-Year Prospective Study”

Game injury rate of Game injury rate of 96.196.1 per per 1000 player game-hours 1000 player game-hours

Players were Players were 25x25x more likely more likely to be injured in a game as to be injured in a game as compared to a practice.compared to a practice.

Game injury rate of Game injury rate of 96.196.1 per per 1000 player game-hours 1000 player game-hours

Players were Players were 25x25x more likely more likely to be injured in a game as to be injured in a game as compared to a practice.compared to a practice.

body massbody massstrengthstrengthspeedspeedsize variationsize variationintensity of competitionintensity of competitionviolent attitudesviolent attitudesillegal activitiesillegal activities

INJURY RISKINJURY RISKINJURY RISKINJURY RISK

Prevention is the KeyPrevention is the Key

INJURY RISKINJURY RISKINJURY RISKINJURY RISK

Preseason screening examinationPreseason screening examinationSports-specific conditioningSports-specific conditioningFocused stretching & strengthFocused stretching & strength

training programstraining programs

Preseason screening examinationPreseason screening examinationSports-specific conditioningSports-specific conditioningFocused stretching & strengthFocused stretching & strength

training programstraining programs

enforcement of existing enforcement of existing rulesrulessportsmanship & mutual sportsmanship & mutual respectrespectbody contact & body body contact & body control control skillsskillspost-injury evaluationpost-injury evaluation

INJURY RISKINJURY RISKINJURY RISKINJURY RISK

full facial protectionfull facial protectioncustomcustommouthpiecemouthpieceimprovement in improvement in equipmentequipmentrink modificationsrink modifications

increased ice surface increased ice surface sizesize

force-dissipating boardsforce-dissipating boards

INJURY RISKINJURY RISKINJURY RISKINJURY RISK