Bricknell and Craig list the common traumatic injuries seen in parachutists and possible reasons for their occurrence.
Body Region
Injury
Cause
head
concussion
head whipping back while landing
upper extremity
rupture biceps brachii
arm entangled in static line when exiting the plane
dislocation of acromio-clavicular joint
landing on the point of the shoulder
shoulder dislocation
landing without tucking the arms in tightly
vertebral spine
compression fracture
backwards landing with incomplete absorption of energy
lower extremity
fracture of upper fibular and/or strain at the superior tibio-fibular joint
sideways strain on the leg when landing
injury to collateral ligament of the knees
excessive abduction of the lower leg
fracture of posterior lip of tibia
landing on toes pointed down
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Specialty: Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
