Epidemiology of Fencing Injuries Presenting to Emergency Departments in the United States: 2003 to 2022

Objective: Less-experienced fencers may present with a different injury profile compared with higher-level athletes. Goal of this study is to analyze the epidemiology of fencing injuries in the United States across all experience levels and age groups. Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Setting: Raw and weighted data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database from 2003 to 2022 and 2022 United States Fencing Association membership data were analyzed by 2 Division I level fencers to determine eligibility. Participants: Athletes presenting to emergency departments in the United States with fencing-related injuries. Independent Variables: Age, sex, and type and nature of athletes' injury are independent variables. Main Outcome Measures: Incidence rate was calculated, and weighted χ 2 tests and Poisson regression determined statistically significant associations among injury incidences. Results: A weighted estimate of 4551 fencing injuries across the United States demonstrated that mean and median ages of patients were 24.26 and 18 years, respectively, with a male:female ratio of 1.26:1. The incidence was 5.72 injuries per 1000 athlete-years. The most common injury was strain/sprain (28.0%) followed by lacerations (16.8%), and the most common location was the finger (17.7%). Conclusions: Fencing-related injuries are most common in the Division age group. Strain/sprain injuries seem more common at higher levels of fencing, whereas lacerations have a sizable presence at lower levels. Male fencers have a significantly higher risk of the 2 most common injuries. Regulation at national or individual coaching levels could reduce laceration injuries in less-experienced fencers.