Treating Backyard Trampoline Injuries
“What All Parents Should Know About Backyard Trampolines And The Injuries That Can Result From Having One”
It is springtime and not only do parents tend to urge their kids to get out of the house and play outside after a long winter, but most kids do so with utmost enthusiasm.
Backyard trampolines have become very popular over the past 20 years, but with their popularity comes inherent dangers.
As a parent, here is what you need to know about trampoline use purely for the sake of the safety and the health and well-being of your children.
[flashvideo file=http://lifechiropractic.s3.amazonaws.com/04.02.2013.trampoline.brad-1.mp4 image=https://lifechiropracticcentre.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/trampoline.jpg width=500 height=299 /]• As early as 1977, the American Academy of Pediatrics ( AAP ) issued warnings about the dangers of trampoline use.
• In 1998, an article in Science Daily reported that there were a quarter million ( 250,000 ) trampoline-related injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms between 1990 and 1995. And the annual number of injuries had grown from 29,600 per year to 58,400 per year.
• In 1998, the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery revealed that 43% of all injuries were sustained by children between 5 and 9 years of age, 28% were sustained by children between 10 and 14 years of age and even more distressing ; 15% of all injuries were sustained by children under 4 years of age!
• The journal Pediatric Neurosurgery reported that in the year 2000, trampolines were responsible for more than 6500 cervical spine ( neck ) injuries in 1998.
• In 2001, the Consumer Product and Safety Commission reported that since 1990, there had been 11 trampoline-related deaths, 6 of which involved children under the age of 15.
• Consumer Reports released a study in 2004 stating 98,000 people were treated in ER because of trampoline –related injuries in 2003, and more than 50,000 of these cases involved children.
• In 2007, the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System reported a 133% increase in trampoline-related injuries between 1990 and 2005.
• Studies have proven that despite attempts to educate people/parents about the risks, the number of injuries has increased exponentially each year leading the AAP to declare trampoline injuries among children as an epidemic and to recommend banning them from home use entirely.
• Safety nets placed around the outside of trampolines do not correct the problem of the dangerously large gaps between the springs or stopping more than 1 child from being on a trampoline at one time.
• From a chiropractic perspective, there are several regions of the spine which you should be concerned about when your child has been injured on a trampoline: the neck, the tailbone and the lumbar spine or lower back. Other common injuries include dislocations or fractures involving the upper extremities ( arms ), facial abrasions and sprain/strain type injuries.
So, my best recommendation to you if are considering buying a trampoline is NOT TO.
If you already have one, make sure that your children are closely supervised by an adult at all times, and there is only 1 kid at a time on a trampoline.
Should your child have any complaints after trampoline use, it warrants further orthopedic and neurological evaluation and possibly an xray.
This is where we can help. All you have to do is call 905 335 LIFE ( 5433 ) and schedule an appointment for your free initial consultation.
Family appointments are also available which means we can check your whole family at the same time.
Helping families just like yours build vibrant, healthy drug-free lives for over 25 years.
Click Here To Book A Free Initial Consultation With Dr. Brad At The Burlington Clinic