Bounced Off Your Board? Tips for Treating Skateboard Injuries

Maybe you’re just getting into skateboarding, or perhaps you’re a parent wondering what types of injuries to expect when your child skates.

In either case, knowledge can help you prepare for the inevitable. Skateboarding is the fifth most common cause of sports injury and accounts for nearly a quarter million emergency room visits each year.

Whether it’s a minor scrape or a more severe injury, knowing how to handle the aftermath can make all the difference in your recovery.

Here are six tips for treating skateboard injuries, courtesy of the board-certified hand and wrist surgeons at Sequoia Institute for Surgical Services.

1. Assess your injury fast

After a wipeout, assess the injury as quickly as possible. Is it a mild scrape, or are you dealing with something more serious, like a sprain or possible fracture? 

If you experience severe pain, swelling, or limited movement, seek medical help before treating the injury yourself. 

If you’re assessing a child’s injury, take a deep breath and remain calm. If your child is panicking, remind them also to take deep breaths. Deep breaths can help shift them out of flight-or-fight mode and into a calmer state.

2. Administer basic first aid for minor cuts

For more minor cuts and scrapes, clean the area with warm water and soap to remove dirt and debris. Apply an antiseptic to prevent infection, and cover with a sterile bandage. Stock all these items in a basic first aid kit — preferably one that travels to the skate park with you.

Keep a stash of large bandages suitable for covering larger joints like your knee or elbow. Your kit should also include antiseptic wipes and antibiotic cream.

Keep an eye on your wound as it heals, and change the bandage daily or anytime it gets dirty to avoid infection. 

3. Administer basic first aid for mild sprains

To ease discomfort for a mild ankle or wrist sprain, use the R.I.C.E. method: 

• Rest the affected body part 
• Apply ice to reduce swelling (keep a one-time use ice pack in your first aid kit)
• Use compression with a bandage
• Keep the injured body part elevated

If the sprain is more than mild, or if you’re unsure if you've broken your bone, always err on the side of caution and get the injury checked out. 

4. Administer basic first aid for bruises

Bruises are common, and you might see them in addition to cuts and sprains. To help reduce swelling, apply a cold compress to a bruise, but be sure to keep a tea towel or cloth between your skin and the ice pack.

Topical arnica cream can also help reduce swelling and discomfort.

Give it a few days to see if your pain improves before hopping back on your board.

5. Know what to do for head injuries

Skateboarders can sometimes suffer concussions from falls. Head injuries, in particular, require medical attention, so don’t hesitate to go to the ER if you hit your head and feel dizzy, nauseous, or have a headache afterward.

You can keep an ice pack on any bumps on your head until you get to the ER.

6. Take time to rest

Even if you’re eager to get back on your board, don’t skimp out on letting your body recover. Skateboarding on an injured limb can worsen the injury and delay your healing. Give yourself a few days (or weeks if needed) to rest fully before jumping back into tricks. 

Get back to shredding . . . safely

Once you’ve recovered, it’s time to get back to the skate parks — but not without your safety gear.

Invest in high-quality protective gear, such as helmets, wrist guards, knee pads, and elbow pads, which can significantly reduce the severity of injuries. 

If you hit your head, replace your helmet, even if it looks fine. Even one accident can reduce your helmet’s effectiveness during future wipeouts. Make sure your helmet features the Mips® safety system.

When orthopedic intervention is needed

If you experience intense pain, suspect a broken bone, or notice swelling that doesn’t go down with rest and ice, it’s time to see Dr. Jonathan Liu and  Dr. Huey Yuan Tien. Orthopedic care can confirm the type and severity of your injury, get you started on the right course of treatment, and help you get relief from your pain.

The Sequoia Institute for Surgical Services team can help with:

• Fractures
• Elbow injuries
• Hand and wrist injuries

Whether you need surgery, casting, splinting, or traction, we’ve got what you need to recover from your skateboard injury.

If you have concerns about a traumatic injury, call our office directly. For less urgent matters, request an appointment online.