As the warmer weather arrives, trampolines begin popping up on the lawns of families in the area. These trendy playthings seem like fun and a great way to have children exercise, but they pose great risk for injuries.
According to the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), 246,875 medically treated trampoline injuries occur annually in the U.S. Of this total, 186,405 of these injuries occurred among children aged 14 or younger. Trampoline injuries occur when jumpers collide, fall on the springs or frame, attempt stunts or fall off the trampoline. The majority of injuries are fractures or sprains, and, although less common, some severe injuries can result in paralysis or death.
If children do have access to a home trampoline, here are some safety tips:
- There should be adult supervision at all times
- Allow only one jumper on the trampoline at a time
- Don’t allow somersaults
- Ensure adequate protective padding on the trampoline that is in good condition and appropriately placed
- Frequently check all equipment
- Protective padding, the net enclosure, and any other parts should be repaired or replaced when damaged
The physicians and staff of Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists (SOS) encourage parents to make sure their children play safe in all activities. Should injuries occur though, the SOS team is readily available to meet all orthopedic knees, whether during an office visit or at one of two locations of SOS Plus which provides after-hours orthopedic care.