Pediatric electric scooter injuries in the UK: Case series and review of literature.

OBJECTIVE: Electric scooters are being used worldwide as a new means of transport and e-scooter shared schemes are currently being piloted in cities across the UK. At present, there is no data published looking at pediatric e-scooter injuries within the UK. We aim to assess if e-scooters pose a risk to children and the patterns and severity of orthopedic injuries related to their use. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of all orthopedic pediatric referrals relating to e-scooter use from January 1 to December 31, 2020 at two hospitals, including one pediatric Major Trauma Center in central London. Data including patient demographics, mechanism of injury, diagnosis, and treatment were collected. RESULTS: Ten patients were identified in this series, of which 5 required orthopedic surgery. Four patients required admission to hospital from the emergency department. The median age was 15 (range 13-17 years) and all were male. All e-scooters were privately owned and all sustained a fall whilst riding the e-scooter. No patient was wearing a helmet. Six sustained lower limb injuries and four upper limb injuries. Two patients were trauma called and one patient sustained an open fracture. There were no mortalities at 30 days. CONCLUSION: E-scooters pose a significant risk to children and can be associated with severe musculoskeletal injury. The risk they pose to the pediatric population should not be overlooked and these findings may inform public policy regarding the restriction of electric scooter use in children.

Foot and ankle injuries related to the use of E-scooters - A case series and a review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: As E-scooter use is increasing with the introduction of urban rental schemes in the United Kingdom, associated foot and ankle injuries will become more prevalent. The aim of this study is to assess the injury pattern and injury severity of foot and ankle trauma associated with E-scooter use. METHODS: A retrospective case analysis of all E-scooter foot and ankle injuries presenting to three London hospitals between 1st January and 31st December 2020 was conducted. Data including demographics, mechanism and location of injury sustained, management, duration of hospital stay and mortality were collected. RESULTS: 20 patients were identified with a total of 27 foot and ankle fractures. Eight patients had fracture dislocations, four sustained open injuries and 45% (9/20) of patients required surgical treatment. Those travelling over 15.5 mph were significantly more likely to require operative intervention (70%) than those travelling below 15.5 mph (20%) (P < 0.033) and were more likely to have an open fracture (40% compared to 0%) (P < 0.0886), however the latter was not of statistical significance. 85% (17/20) of rider's injuries involved the foot and/or ankle only. There were no mortalities at 30 days. CONCLUSIONS: E-scooter use can cause serious foot and ankle injuries. Robust guidelines and legislation restricting top speeds and enforcing the wearing of protective clothing could be implemented. This may protect the E-scooter user from significant foot and ankle injury.