For many, spring is a relaxed time of year, as temperatures begin to rise in the northern hemisphere (though not too much) and the skies become clearer. Yet, according to a new study, this transitional season also takes a toll on U.S. citizens each year, as increased physical activity both indoors and outdoors leads to distinct patterns of injury.
The research, conducted by Boston personal injury lawyers at Jason Stone Injury Lawyers, examined thousands of injury reports from The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) to determine which body parts and injury types are most frequently affected during springtime activities. The data has been shared with Digital Journal.
The 10 most common springtime injuries
| Rank | Injury type | Total cases | Percentage of alcohol involvement | Percentage of drug involvement | Top cause of injuries |
| 1 | Internal head injury | 12,478 | 3.4% | 2.9% | Floors/Flooring (3,620) |
| 2 | Facial laceration | 4,922 | 3.2% | 2.0% | Floors/Flooring (594) |
| 3 | Finger laceration | 3,516 | 0.7% | 1.0% | Knives (1,148) |
| 4 | Facial contusions | 2,987 | 4.4% | 3.4% | Floors/Flooring (622) |
| 5 | Ankle strain/sprain | 2,935 | 0.6% | 0.1% | Stairs/Steps (629) |
| 6 | Head laceration | 2,549 | 4.5% | 3.8% | Floors/Flooring (419) |
| 7 | Poisoning | 2,328 | 34.8% | 51.5% | Floors/Flooring (354) |
| 8 | Head concussion | 2,258 | 1.3% | 0.4% | Floors/Flooring (318) |
| 9 | Lower trunk fracture | 1,795 | 2.2% | 1.4% | Floors/Flooring (525) |
| 10 | Wrist fracture | 1,734 | 1.3% | 0.3% | Stairs/Steps (146) |
In consideration of the above table, internal head injuries are the most common spring incidents, with 12,478 reported cases. These injuries frequently occur from interaction with common household items – floors and flooring materials are linked to 22.9% of these injuries, followed by beds and bedframes at 9%, and stairs at 7%. Substance involvement played a smaller role in these incidents, with alcohol present in 427 cases (3.4%) and drugs involved in 357 cases (2.9%).
Facial lacerations are next, with 4,922 cases during springtime. Like head injuries, floors remain the primary hazard, contributing to 10.1% of these cases, followed closely by tables at 8.9% of incidents, while beds and bedframes account for 6.6%. Among these cases, 157 (3.2%) involved alcohol consumption and 99 (2.0%) were connected to drug use.
In third place are finger lacerations, with 3,516 registered injuries. Unlike the top two categories, these injuries show a clear primary cause – knives account for 28.6% of these injuries, followed by doors (4.5%) and metal containers (3.8%). Very few finger lacerations involved substances, with alcohol present in just 25 cases (0.7%) and drugs in 34 cases (1%).
Facial contusions and abrasions place fourth, with 2,987 cases. Falls on floors caused 16.9% of these injuries, with stairs responsible for 7.9% and beds contributing to 7.6% of injuries. These facial injuries showed slightly higher rates of alcohol and drug involvement, at 4.4% and 3.4%, respectively, compared to many other trauma types.
Ankle sprains and strains land the fifth spot, with 2,935 reported cases. These injuries display a strong connection to physical activities, with stairs and steps (20.3%), basketball (15.3%), and soccer (7.3%) being the primary causes. These injuries rarely involved substances, with only 0.6% involving alcohol and just 0.07% involving drugs.
Next are head lacerations, accounting for 2,549 spring injuries, with floors again emerging as the primary culprit at 13.1%, followed by beds (8.2%) and stairs (7.5%). Substance involvement was relatively high, with 4.5% involving alcohol and 3.8% involving drugs.
Poisoning affecting all body parts places seventh, with 2,328 cases. Alcohol was involved in 809 (34.8%) of poisoning cases, while drugs were present in (1,190) 51.5% – significantly, but understandably, higher than any other injury type. Common factors included floors and flooring materials (12.3%), tablet or capsule drugs (7.5%), and stairs (6.4%).
Concussions affected 2,258 individuals, with 11.8% occurring from falls on floors and flooring materials. Sports activities show significant correlation, with soccer (5.7%) and basketball (4.5%) among the top contributors. Alcohol was involved in just 30 incidents (1.3%), with drugs present in 10 cases (0.4%).
Lower trunk fractures claim the ninth spot, with 1,795 cases. Floors and flooring materials were responsible for 525 cases (24.3%), while both beds and stairs caused 197 injuries each (9.1%). Alcohol was involved in 39 incidents (2.2%), with drugs present in 25 cases (1.4%).
Wrist fractures complete the top ten, with 1,734 reported cases during springtime. Stairs and steps caused 146 cases (7.7%), soccer-related activities led to 145 cases (7.7%), and bicycles resulted in 139 injuries (7.4%). Alcohol was involved in 23 incidents (1.3%), with drugs present in just 6 cases (0.3%).
In terms of understanding these trends, spring brings increased outdoor activity and home improvement projects, which can lead to a rise in certain types of injuries. For example, with people becoming more active during springtime it can be observed there are relatively high rates of sports-related injuries.
