For Immediate Release
For more information, contact:Todd Schuetz(847) 384-4032, [email protected]
Teena Austin(847) 384-403, [email protected]
Orthopaedic surgeons report surge in scooter-related injuriesAcademy offers tips to prevent injuries
ROSEMONT, Ill.--Scooter-related injuries have skyrocketed in the past several years and orthopaedic surgeons nationwide are urging parents to be aware of the risks associated with un-powered scooters.
"With the increased popularity and affordability of new scooters, parents need to be aware of the dangers associated with them," explained Vernon T. Tolo, MD, president of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and pediatric orthopaedic surgeon at Children's Hospital, Los Angeles. "Very often, children do not wear protective gear and are not fully aware of important safety precautions."
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in the year 2000 there were more than 101,000 injuries related to un-powered scooters with over 41,000 being treated at hospital emergency rooms. In one month alone, the nearly 8,600 scooter injuries surpassed inline skating injuries.
Most injuries were caused when riders fell from the scooter. Fractures and dislocations accounted for 29 percent of the injuries and 85 percent of the injuries were to children less than 15 years old. The majority of the fractures and dislocations involved the upper extremities.
To bring greater awareness to this problem and offer guidelines on reducing injuries, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons aims to decrease scooter accidents through its ongoing national public education campaign, Prevent Injuries America!. Following these safety tips can reduce scooter-related injuries:
*Wear protective gear including a helmet, wrist protectors, knee/elbow pads.*Wear sturdy shoes. Never wear bare sandals or flimsy footwear.*Children under the age of 8 should not operate a scooter.*Be familiar with the steering, handling and brake system. *Practice riding in a closed, protected area.*Avoid steep hills, slippery/uneven surfaces and crowded walkways/streets.*Obey traffic signs.*Never operate the scooter at night.
Internet users can find sports injury prevention information, and more, in the Prevent Injuries America! section of the Academy's web site, www.aaos.org, call the Academy's Public Service line at 800-824-BONES, or send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to "Scooters," P. O. Box 1998, Des Plaines, IL 60017.
An orthopaedic surgeon is a physician with extensive training in the diagnosis and non-surgical as well as surgical treatment of the musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves.
The 25,500-member American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons is a not-for-profit organization that provides education programs for orthopaedic surgeons, allied health professionals and the public.
An advocate for improved patient care, the Academy is participating in the Bone and Joint Decade (www.boneandjointdecade.org), the global initiative to raise awareness of musculoskeletal health, stimulate research and improve people's quality of life. President Bush has declared the years 2002-2011 National Bone and Joint Decade, in support of these objectives.
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