Severe soccer injuries in amateurs.

OBJECTIVES To ascertain the number and type of severe soccer injuries admitted to King Edward Hospital in South Africa over 42 months. METHODS This was a retrospective study of all patients admitted for treatment or observation to the orthopaedic unit only. Patients treated as outpatients, irrespective of severity, are also presented for comparison. RESULTS Thirty two patients were admitted with severe injuries. The injuries included 18 fractures of the tibial and femoral shaft. Two tibial shaft fractures were compound. Four tibial plateau fractures and five epiphyseal injuries were identified. One patient had a fracture-dislocation of the hip. One patient with a popliteal artery injury presented 48 hours after the injury had occurred. He had an above knee amputation. In the same period 122 patients were treated as outpatients. The types of injury in this group were similar to soccer injuries reported in other countries. CONCLUSIONS Very serious injuries are sustained by casual soccer players in South Africa. Urgent measures need to be taken to prevent such injuries.