Epidemiology Of Basketball-Related Ankle Injuries Treated In Emergency Departments During 2014-2023: Implications For Prevention

Basketball players face high risk for lower extremity injuries. Ankle sprains are a common basketball-related injury. Sprains, fractures, dislocations and other ankle injury types can involve visits to the emergency department (ED). PURPOSE: To determine whether or not: 1) Sex or age-related differences existed in the prevalence of basketball-related ankle injuries admitted to the ED, and 2) The incidence and potential mechanisms of ankle injuries differed among high school (13-18 yr), collegiate (19-24 yr), and post-collegiate athletes (25-25 yr). METHODS: This was a retrospective study of ankle injury data obtained from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) on basketball-related ankle injuries from 2014-2023.​ 21,522 ED visits of ankle injuries among players aged 13-35 years were analyzed after applying exclusion criteria. Extracted data included demographics, injury type, ED text narratives with injury mechanisms.​ Chi-square tests, and regression analyses were used to assess injury pattern differences by sex and age. Logistic regression was used to determine Odds Ratios (OR) for different injuries by sex and age. Significance was α = 0.05. RESULTS: Significant differences in injury prevalence were found by sex and age (p < .001). Males represented 84.7% of basketball-related ankle injury cases. Females had greater likelihood of ankle sprains/strains (OR = 1.33 [95% CI 1.19-1.47]; p < .05) compared to males, and had a lower OR of ankle fractures and dislocation than men (OR = 0.57 [95% CI 0.48-0.67] vs OR = 0.46 [95% CI 0.21-0.99]; p < .05). The youngest age group (13-18 yr) had greater incidence of falls, poor landings, and ankle rolling than other age groups (p < .05). Females experienced 0.2%-3.2% more injuries related to falls, being pushed, collisions with another player than males (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Females are more likely to present with sprains/strains, while males and older age groups exhibit higher rates of fractures and dislocations. Younger athletes (13-18 years) and females experience more injuries related to falls and poor landings, indicating that targeted prevention strategies tailored to specific demographics could mitigate the risk and severity of ankle injuries. Supported by: UF Strategic Funding Initiative, UF Sports and Collaborative