Electric scooter injuries: Incidence and injury patterns at a level I trauma center.
10.1016/j.cjtee.2023.02.003
- VernacularTitle:Electric scooter injuries: Incidence and injury patterns at a level I trauma center
- Author:
Nina D FISHER
1
;
Ekenedilichukwu NWAKOBY
2
;
Hunter HERNANDEZ
2
;
Toni M MCLAURIN
3
Author Information
1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Langone Orthopedic Hospital, New York University, New York, United States. Electronic address: Nina.Fisher@nyulangone.org.
2. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Langone Orthopedic Hospital, New York University, New York, United States.
3. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Langone Orthopedic Hospital, New York University, New York, United States; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Health+Hospitals/Bellevue New York City, New York, United States.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Ankle fractures;
Electric bike;
Electric scooter;
Tibial plateau fractures;
Tibial shaft
- MeSH:
Male;
Humans;
Adolescent;
Young Adult;
Adult;
Middle Aged;
Female;
Ankle Fractures;
Trauma Centers;
Incidence;
Radial Head and Neck Fractures;
Tibial Plateau Fractures;
Retrospective Studies;
Tibial Fractures/complications*;
Radius Fractures
- From:
Chinese Journal of Traumatology
2023;26(6):334-338
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE:Electric scooters (e-scooters) have become an increasingly popular mode of public transportation in recent years. As the incidence of related injuries rises, it is important to understand specific fracture patterns unique to e-scooters and electric bikes (e-bikes) to help guide management. The purpose of this study was to review the prevalence and describe specific fracture patterns of e-scooter and e-bike related injuries at the busiest level 1 trauma center in the borough of Manhattan.
METHODS:Chart review to determine mechanism of injury was performed on all patients for whom an orthopedic consult was requested from 1/1/2021 to 12/31/2021. All patients whose injuries were sustained due to an e-scooter or e-bike were further reviewed for demographics, injury characteristics including fracture pattern, and definitive injury management. Any patients who had an orthopedic consult placed for a reason other than an acute injury were excluded. Descriptive statistics are reported as frequency (percentage) for categorical variables and means for continuous variables.
RESULTS:Of the 1815 orthopedic consults requested, 1357 (74.8%) were for acute injury management. Of those with acute injuries, 119 (8.8%) sustained 136 e-scooter or e-bike related injuries. There were 92 (77.3%) males at an average age of (33.8 ± 15.7) years. Approximately one-fifth of all patients presented in June 2021 (26, 21.8%). There was a 9.2% rate of open fractures. The 136 injuries were evenly split between the upper and lower extremities, with 57 (47.9%) upper extremity, 57 (47.9%) lower extremity injuries, and 5 (4.2%) concomitant upper and lower extremity injuries. The most common fracture patterns were ankle fractures (16, 11.7%), followed by tibial shaft (14, 10.2%), tibial plateau (13, 9.5%), and radial head fractures (11, 8.0%). There was a 33.3% incidence of associated posterior malleolar fractures in the spiral tibial shaft fractures, 31.0% of posterior malleolar involvement and 18.8% of isolated vertical medial malleolar fractures in the ankle fractures, and 61.5% of posterior comminution in the tibial plateau fractures.
CONCLUSION:E-scooter and e-bike related injuries have a high incidence of tibial shaft fractures, ankle fractures, tibial plateau fractures, and radial head fractures. There should be a high index of suspicion for posterior and medial involvement in lower extremity fractures sustained due to e-scooter or e-bikes. Identifying specific fracture patterns seen in e-scooter and e-bike related mechanisms will help guide management of these injuries.
