Citation

Upadhyay V, Sharma S, Kamatchi D, Fagg J, Fagg PS. Inj. Extra 2008; 39(5): 193-193.

Affiliation

Doncaster Royal Infirmary, UK

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.injury.2007.11.382

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Motocross is becoming an increasingly popular sport specially amongst the paediatric population. Injuries associated with the sport are rising. We studied Motocross injuries in patients under 16 years. Motocross injuries presenting in hospital over a 2 years period were included. Total 61 patients' case notes were analysed retrospectively. A questionnaire was sent out to all patients. The patients who did not respond to the questionnaire were contacted over the telephone and the information obtained. Twenty per cent were females and 80% males. Age range: 7-15 years; mean age 12 years. Experience ranged from 1 to 10 years with a mean of 3.5 years. The age at starting the sport ranged from 2 to 14 years with a mean of 8.3 years. Most injuries occurred in a race event (73%) while remaining occurred in a practice event. Most common mode of injury was slipping and coming off the bike 50%, followed by missed jump 24%, collision 15% and run-over 9%. Most common location on the track was a bend 56%, followed by jumps 36%. The spectrum of injuries ranged from head and neck 14%, back 13%, upper limb 50%, lower limb 23%. Fifty-one per cent of these were fractures with the most common being clavicle fracture 7, fractures of the distal radius 6, tibia and fibula 5, hand 3, humerus 3, ankle 2, femoral shaft 2, cervical spine 1, olecranon 1, nasal bone 1. Remaining 49% were soft tissue and ligamentous injuries. Five patients were operated upon. Seventy-one in-patient bed days were consumed. Seven hundred and twenty two school days were lost. Eight per cent patients had residual disability after the treatment. Motocross in its current form is quite a dangerous sport associated with a significant morbidity to the participants and high utilisation of public health resources. The authors have raised a few concerns and questions about the sport in its current form.