Parkour: a new extreme sport and a case study.

Abstract

Parkour is an extreme sport that has been popular in Europe for a few years. This sport has now made it across the Atlantic and is quickly gaining popularity in the United States. Participants of this activity, known as parkouristes, try to overcome obstacles in their environment in the most efficient manner possible. This can be accomplished by simply jumping or scaling an obstacle, but sometimes this is done in a very acrobatic manner. The sport had a longtime underground following but has now gained media exposure through various television advertisements, and it has even been featured in recent blockbuster films. As a result, many amateurs are attempting to recreate these dangerous stunts without proper protection or guidance. We will review the case of an 18-year-old male who sustained multiple fracture/dislocations of his left foot while practicing parkour. ACFAS Level of Clinical Evidence: 4.