Orthopaedic injuries among adults associated with electric skateboard use.

OBJECTIVES

Electric skateboards (e-skateboards) have surged in popularity, providing an accessible mode of transportation. Although previous studies have explored hoverboard, electric scooter, and electric bicycle injuries, adult e-skateboard research remains limited. This study aimed to deepen the understanding of orthopaedic injuries in adults related to e-skateboards, guiding effective injury prevention strategies.

DESIGN

Retrospective database study.

SETTING

Multicenter, US emergency departments.

PATIENTS/

PARTICIPANTS

The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database was queried between 2014 and 2023 for patients aged 18+ presenting to the US Emergency departments with e-skateboard, one-wheel, or longboard vehicle injuries.

OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcomes included fractures or dislocations diagnoses and hospital admissions. Secondary analysis included amputation, concussion, contusion/abrasion, hematoma, strain/sprain, laceration, puncture, crushing, nerve damage, or foreign body diagnoses.

RESULTS

Three hundred thirty-five (national estimates [NE] = 13,495) patients with e-skateboard injuries were isolated with 466 (NE = 19,041) diagnoses from 2014 to 2023. The most common injuries included fractures (32.83%, NE = 6252, n = 150), contusions/abrasions (18.18%, NE = 3462, n = 81), and internal organ injuries (15.51%, NE = 2954, n = 72), whereas dislocations accounted for 1.66% (NE = 317, n = 13). The most frequently fractured sites were the clavicle (20.68%, NE = 1293), ankle (11.29%, NE = 706), and the upper trunk (11.20%, NE = 700). Out of all diagnoses treated and admitted/transferred (NE = 3053), 60.86% were fractures (NE = 1858) and 25.02% were internal injuries (n = 764). There was 1 documented fatality. Out of all diagnoses treated and released (NE = 15,464), 27.11% were fractures (NE = 4192) and 13.95% were internal injuries (NE = 2158).

CONCLUSIONS

E-skateboards present a significant risk for orthopaedic injuries, underscoring the need for enhanced safety measures. Protective gear, such as guards, could potentially affect the incidence of ankle fractures, but effective prevention strategies for clavicle fractures remain unknown.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.