5 Common Trampoline Injuries That Might Happen
According to a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics, trampoline injuries increased by 4 percent between 2008 and 2017. On average, there were 53 trampoline injuries per 100,000 people in 2017. In contrast, there were about 35.3 trampoline injuries per 100,000 people in 2008.
While these figures are not significant, they raise a serious concern about the rise of trampoline injuries. And, with the rising popularity of trampoline parks, it only follows that trampoline park injuries will push the numbers up.
To get you started in protecting your kids, we’ve compiled a list of the five most common trampoline injuries that might happen. We’ve also included some helpful tips you can take to prevent these injuries.
Most Common Trampoline Injuries
1. Ankle Sprains
Ankle sprains are the most common injury from trampolines and can be very painful when left untreated.
Symptoms of a sprained ankle include:
- Pain when walking
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Instability in the ankle
- Tenderness when you touch the ankle
- Restricted range of motion
- Popping sound or sensation at the time of injury
When your child gets an ankle sprain, we recommend you take them to a pediatric facility. The doctor will assess their condition and begin treatment. In less severe cases, the doctor might recommend resting, but for more severe ones, they might have to use a compression bandage to speed up the recovery process.
2. Fractures and Broken Bones
If your kid falls off a trampoline and lands awkwardly, they may sustain a fracture or broken bone. This trampoline injury often occurs in the upper extremities around the arms and elbows.
Symptoms of fractures and broken bones include:
- Intense pain around the area of injury
- A visibly misshapen or out-of-place limb or joint
- Tingling and numbness
- Bleeding, swelling, or bruising
- Inability to move the injured area
- Broken skin with bone protruding
Broken bones rarely go unnoticed, but fractures may be less evident in some cases. Take the greenstick fracture, which occurs when a bone cracks but doesn’t break completely. It is more prevalent among kids since their bones are not fully developed.
A common symptom of greenstick fracture is swelling and bruising around an injured region. Other ques to watch out for are complaints of pain and a lack of mobility following an awkward fall off the trampoline. Usually, an X-ray is the best way to determine whether your child has suffered a greenstick fracture.
3. Head and Neck Injuries
Head and neck injuries account for 10 to 17 percent of all trampoline injuries. They typically happen when performing tricks such as flips, cartwheels, or somersaults on a trampoline. The risk of sustaining these injuries is higher when multiple people are on a trampoline.
Symptoms of head and neck injuries include:
- Headache and dizziness
- Decreased range of motion
- Loss of consciousness
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Pain on the back of the neck
Head and neck injuries can be quite severe, leading to permanent paralysis and, in some cases, death.
4. Spinal Injuries
Most spinal injuries occur from falling off the trampoline. They can also happen on the trampoline mat when failed flips or somersaults cause hyperextension or hyperflexion of the cervical spine.
Symptoms of a spinal injury include:
- Loss of movement
- Altered sensation
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Pain due to damage to the nerve fibers of the spinal cord
- Difficulty breathing
The spine plays an essential role in protecting the spinal cord. Thus, an injury to the spine causes severe damage to vital nerves in the spinal column. Spinal injuries can lead to permanent neurological damage, paralysis, and even death.
5. Concussions
Your child may suffer a concussion if their fall on the trampoline includes a bang on their head.
Symptoms of a concussion include:
- Unconsciousness
- Confusion
- Lack of balance following a head injury
Sometimes your kid’s symptoms won’t indicate the severity of their injury. So, it’s always an excellent idea to seek pediatric care when your child sustains a head injury from jumping on a trampoline.
Can You Injure Yourself On A Trampoline?
Yes, you can injure yourself on a trampoline. So, you should take safety measures when using your trampoline to minimize the risk of accidents.
Some of the causes of trampoline injuries include:
- Falling off the trampoline
- Impact with trampoline springs or frame
- Failed stunts or tricks
- Colliding with other jumpers
- Landing the wrong way while jumping
What Is The Most Common Injury On A Trampoline?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the most common injury on trampolines occur in the lower extremities (34 to 50 percent of injuries). The majority of these injuries are ankle sprains. The same study found fractures to be the most common injury in the upper extremities.
The British Journal of Sports Medicine seems to agree with this assertion. A 2006 study by the organization also found fractures and injuries to the ligaments to be the most common type of trampoline injuries.
How Do Most Trampoline Injuries Occur?
Most trampoline injuries occur from falling off the trampoline and impact with trampoline springs or frames. These two causes are responsible for about half or more of trampoline-related injuries.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, falling off a trampoline accounts for about 27 to 39 percent of trampoline injuries. Injuries resulting from a collision with springs or frames account for 20 percent of trampoline injuries.
How Can I Prevent Trampoline Injuries
Some of the measures you can take to prevent trampoline injuries include:
- Supervising your kids when jumping on the trampoline.
- Prohibiting risky maneuvers such as somersaults, flips, and wild jumps.
- Limiting the number of people using the trampoline at a time.
- Inspecting the trampoline regularly to ensure it’s in good condition.
- Removing nearby obstacles.
Final Words
Although trampolines are fun most of the time, they may result in injuries when jumpers fall off the trampoline, collide with trampoline parts or other jumpers, perform stunts, or land awkwardly when jumping.
Without proper safety measures, jumping on a trampoline may result in ankle sprains, fractures, head and neck injuries, spinal cord injuries, and concussions. Such injuries can be severe and cause paralysis or death. Hopefully, with this article, you know more about common trampoline injuries and how to prevent them.
