|
|
|
« Back
Four-Wheeling Your ATV to the Nearest Emergency Room
|
Posted on: 10/31/2002
|
Four-wheeled all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) cause more than their share of injuries. Part of the problem is human: driving while drunk, going too fast, not wearing helmets, or not knowing how to drive ATVs. And ATVs themselves are powerful and, for the most part, unstable. Put all those factors together, and the injuries from ATV accidents can be very serious.
This two-year study covered all ATV injuries seen in a hospital in Puerto Rico. Researchers looked closely at the 33 ATV riders who needed a total of 46 orthopedic surgeries. The data put the spotlight on some interesting facts:
- Bones were injured all over the body, but 63 percent of the injuries were to the legs. No injuries to the head and neck showed up in this study. However, this is probably because most ATV riders who receive head and neck injuries end up dead, not in the operating room.
- About 75 percent of the injured patients were driving the ATVs.
- Only four patients (12 percent) were wearing helmets.
- The average patient was a young man in his 20s, with little experience driving ATVs, who was driving too fast after drinking alcohol.
- The average hospital stay was 11 days. The range was two days to 44 days.
- The average cost of medical care (ambulance, emergency room, hospital stay, intensive care, and operating costs) was almost $12,000. The range went from about $3,300 to almost $55,000.
- Patients were usually disabled for several weeks to several months after the accident.
- About 18 percent of the patients were children, and they had the most severe injuries. Other studies that include more types of injuries show that about half of the ATV accident victims are children.
The recommendations are obvious. ATV drivers should avoid alcohol, wear protective clothing and helmets, keep the speed down--and use good sense. The authors also recommend that the ATV industry and government take another good, hard look at safety standards for ATVs. If not, it's certain that plenty of ATV four-wheel joy rides will end in the emergency room.
|
References:
Luis A. Rios-Reboyras, MD, et al. Musculoskeletal Trauma in Four-Wheeled All-Terrain Vehicles. In Orthopedics. October 2002. Vol. 25. No. 10. Pp. 1079-1082.
|
|
|
« Back
|
|
|
|
*Disclaimer:*The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic. |
 | All content provided by eORTHOPOD® is a registered trademark of Mosaic Medical Group, L.L.C.. Content is the sole property of Mosaic Medical Group, LLC and used herein by permission. |
|
