Epidemiology of Testicular Trauma in Sports: Analysis of the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System Database

Abstract

Background

The epidemiology of testicular trauma in sports on a national scale has not been well studied. Timely management and treatment after testicular trauma is critical to avoid serious, long-term ramifications of mismanagement.

Objective

The aim was to analyze trends in sports-related testicular trauma based on specific sports and patient demographic characteristics over time.

Methods

The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System was queried for emergency department cases between 2012 and 2021 with injuries in the pubic region related to 10 commonly played sports. Variables examined included patient age, race, disposition, and sport using incidence rate, incidence rate ratios, and χ² analysis.

Results

There were an estimated 28,844 emergency department cases of sports-related testicular trauma between 2012 and 2021. Young patients, aged between 10 and 14 years and 15 and 19 years, accounted for most cases, and results of χ² analysis showed a significant difference in incidence based on age group (p < 0.01). Most injuries occurred while athletes played basketball, football, and soccer (73.6%).

Conclusions

Sports-related testicular trauma injury rates remained steady between 2012 and 2021, which suggests greater efforts are necessary to reduce the incidence of sports-related testicular trauma. Education efforts should focus on 10- to 19-year-olds because they have the highest incidence. Given the high incidence in sports like basketball and soccer compared with football and lacrosse, testicular trauma seems to be a risk for athletes competing both recreationally and competitively.