Sports-Related Trauma Often Produces Isolated High-Grade Renal Injury

Among renal trauma patients treated at Utah-based trauma centers between 2005 and 2011, 30% of injuries to a kidney were sustained during sporting activities, with more men experiencing an injury than women. Cycling, skiing, and snowboarding accounted for the majority of isolated high-grade (grade 3 to 5) sports-related renal injuries. The average trauma grade was 3.5 for sport-related injuries and 3.7 for non-sport-related injuries. The average injury severity score for sports-related trauma was 12.6 and for non-sports related trauma was 27.3. The findings were presented at the American Urological Association’s Annual Scientific Meeting.