An epidemiologic study of squash injuries

Abstract

A retrospective investigation of squash-related injuries incurred at a private and a public club in New York was undertaken to gain insight into the incidence and nature of such injuries. Telephone interviews were conducted with 200 randomly selected individuals to obtain their entire injury history.

Sixty-nine of the 155 squash players contacted sustained injuries during their participation. Some had multiple injuries. This resulted in an overall injury rate of 44.5%. Strains and sprains accounted for over one- third of the injuries. Nearly one-half of the injuries involved the lower extremity, with the ankle and lower leg being injured most often. Forty-seven percent of the injuries seen were considered disabling because the patients were out of action for more than two weeks after injury.

Players over the age of 40 are at increased risk for injury, as are newcomers to the game. Increased injury rates were also associated with an increased frequency of play among females. Only rarely will an injured squash player become permanently impaired.