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Sterling Ridge Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine
6767 Lake Woodlands Drive, Suite F, The Woodlands, TX 77382
20639 Kuykendahl Road, Suite 200, Spring, TX 77379
The Woodlands & Spring, TX .
Ph: 281-364-1122 832-698-011
stacy@srosm.com






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We went on vacation to Montana this summer with our three children ages 8, 11, and 15. There were lots of children riding around the mountains where we hiked who were riding ATVs. It seemed to me like they were reckless and driving a machine more powerful than they could handle. Now my children want ATVs for Christmas. Just saying they seemed reckless isn't much of a justification to tell my children "no." Can you help me out here with some sage advice?

We can give you some information from a recent report on trends in all-terrain vehicle (ATV) accidents and injuries in children and teens under the age of 18. This report was published in 2011 from data collected every three years from 1997 on. The source of information was The Kids' Inpatient Databases. The information put into the database comes from hospital records around the United States. Analysis of the database showed there were 4483 children hospitalized for ATV accidents in one year alone (2006). And a review of the records from 1997 to the present time showed that the rate of ATV-related injuries has gone up. Not just a small increase in the number of accidents but a 240 per cent increase. And that is despite all efforts of the government and private organizations to educate and legislate this dangerous activity. What makes these machines so dangerous? Power, speed and uneven or steep terrain. The first ATV models were seven-horse power. Remember, that means the engine has the pulling power of seven horses hooked up together. Today there are 500 horsepower ATVs available on the market. Many of the ATV-related injuries are the result of high-energy trauma. The injuries reported aren't minor scrapes and bruises. Children and teens with those kinds of injuries and other minor trauma probably don't go to the hospital. So it's very likely the number of accidents is much higher than reported. Of those who do get medical treatment, spinal cord injury, fractures, and other musculoskeletal injuries are the most common. In fact, that 240 per cent increase in number of ATV accidents among children less than 18 years old is accompanied by another equally serious statistic. There has been a 476 per cent increase in spinal injury during the same time period (from 1997 to present). If that's not enough information for you, here's a bit more. Injuries to internal organs occur in 40 per cent of cases reported. Punctured lungs from rib fractures, multiple organ injury, spinal cord injury, and head injuries have resulted in 120 ATV-related deaths among children in 2005. Older children (16 years old and older) seem to have the most serious accidents. Girls have fewer accidents but more serious injuries. For parents who allow their children to use ATVs, it is possible to ride these vehicles safely. Close supervision and use of safety equipment are advised. Experts in the know do suggest riders and drivers should be 16 years old. That gives you another year in which to investigate, educate, and discuss this activity as a family.

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