Citation

McIntosh AL, Christophersen CM. J. Am. Acad. Orthop. Surg. 2018; 26(5): 162-165.

Affiliation

From the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Dallas, TX (Dr. McIntosh), and the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA (Dr. Christophersen).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)

DOI

10.5435/JAAOS-D-16-00405

PMID

29473832

Abstract

Motocross is a popular sport in which participants ride a two-wheeled, motorized vehicle on an uneven 2-km track with natural or human-made obstacles. Participants compete at high rates of speed, and children as young as age 4 years compete in age-appropriate groups. Motocross is recognized as a strenuous sport with a high accident rate. Most injuries are musculoskeletal in nature. The most commonly injured areas are the forearm, clavicle, femur, and tibia. Many injuries require surgical treatment. Some patients sustain head trauma with loss of consciousness. Children should have age-appropriate training before participation is allowed. Adult supervision should occur at all times. Appropriate helmet fitting with assistance from an expert is associated with a decreased risk of concussion symptoms. Parents and coaches need to weigh the benefits of participation with the frequency of injuries, missed academic time, and the cost of medical treatment.

Language: en