title: Extremity fractures associated with ATVs and dirt bikes: a 10-year national epidemiologic study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Morbidity and mortality of all-terrain vehicles and dirt bikes have been studied, as well as the association of helmet use and head injury.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to compare and contrast the patterns of extremity fractures associated with ATVs and dirt bikes. We believe there will be unique and potentially preventable injury patterns associated with dirt bikes and three-wheeled ATVs due to the poor stability of these vehicles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive epidemiology study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) was used to acquire data for extremity fractures related to ATV (three wheels, four wheels, and number of wheels undefined) and dirt bike use from 2007 to 2012. Nationwide estimation of injury incidence was determined using NEISS weight calculations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The database yielded an estimate of 229,362 extremity fractures from 2007 to 2012. The incidence rates of extremity fractures associated with ATV and dirt bike use were 3.87 and 6.85 per 1000 participant-years. The largest proportion of all fractures occurred in the shoulder (27.2%), followed by the wrist and lower leg (13.8 and 12.4%, respectively). There were no differences in the distribution of the location of fractures among four-wheeled or unspecified ATVs. However, three-wheeled ATVs and dirt bikes had much larger proportion of lower leg, foot, and ankle fractures compared to the other vehicle types.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While upper extremity fractures were the most commonly observed in this database, three-wheeled ATVs and dirt bikes showed increased proportions of lower extremity fractures. Several organizations have previously advocated for better regulation of the sale and use of these specific vehicles due to increased risks. These findings help illustrate some of the specific risks associated with these commonly used vehicles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Beaumont Health/Wayne State University, 18100 Oakwood Blvd. Suite 305, Taylor, Dearborn, MI, 48124, USA.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Lombardo
authors.affiliation: Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jelsema
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Beaumont Health/Wayne State University, 18100 Oakwood Blvd. Suite 305, Taylor, Dearborn, MI, 48124, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gambone
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Beaumont Health/Wayne State University, 18100 Oakwood Blvd. Suite 305, Taylor, Dearborn, MI, 48124, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weisman
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Beaumont Health/Wayne State University, 18100 Oakwood Blvd. Suite 305, Taylor, Dearborn, MI, 48124, USA.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Petersen-Fitts
authors.affiliation: Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Whaley
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Beaumont Health/Wayne State University, 18100 Oakwood Blvd. Suite 305, Taylor, Dearborn, MI, 48124, USA. sabes001@gmail.com.
authors.forename: V J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Sabesan
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005121:Extremities / Q000293:injuries*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015541:Off-Road Motor Vehicles; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: All-terrain vehicles; Dirt bikes; Epidemiology; Fractures; Sports trauma