Epidemiology and Injury Pattern of E-Scooter Injuries – Initial Results

Abstract

Aim Since the introduction of shared electric scooters in Germany in June 2019, surgeons have been treating injuries caused by these devices.

Methods In our Institution, we implemented the first registry to examine the pattern of injuries and to gather epidemiological data on persons injured while riding electric scooters. We conducted a prospective analysis of all patients treated in our Emergency Department for an injury sustained while riding an electric scooter between June 2019 and June 2020. All patients were noted in a registry (E-SCORE = E-Scooter Register). The study was approved by the institutional ethics board. Outcomes were first time of use, injuries, imaging, alcohol and helmet use, age, length of hospital stay and surgical therapy.

Results 90 patients were identified. Mean age was 35.6 years (± 15.4); 65.5% were male. We diagnosed 32 fractures and 7 ligament injuries. Injuries to the head were found in 38 patients; 8 had relevant intracerebral or maxillofacial injuries. Alcohol use was noted in 18 (20%) patients, only 2 of whom wore a helmet (2.2%). 29 patients (32.2%) required surgical intervention.

Conclusion This study highlights the significant number of head injuries in patients riding electric scooters. Nevertheless, there are also a significant number of injuries to the bones and ligaments, which required surgical treatment. Hardly any of the patients was wearing a helmet and alcohol use was not unusual. In our opinion, scooter related injuries are leading to an growing number of vehicle related injuries and could probably benefit from some legal regulations, such as a blood alcohol limit and recommendation for helmet use. Implementation of a nationwide registry might be useful in evaluating injuries related to electric scooters.

Key words

electric scooter - injuries - brain trauma - prevention - epidemiology

Publication History

Article published online:
03 May 2021

• References/Literatur

• 1 Austin Dockless Electric Scooter Related Injuries Study. Austin Public Health Department. Im Internet (Stand: 01.04.2021): https://austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Health/Epidemiology/APH_Dockless_Electric_Scooter_Study_5-2-19.pdf
• 2 Badeau A, Carman C, Newman M. et al. Emergency department visits for electric scooter-related injuries after introduction of an urban rental program. Am J Emerg Med 2019; 37: 1531-1533
• 3 Ishmael CR, Hsiue PP, Zoller SD. et al. An Early Look at Operative Orthopaedic Injuries Associated with Electric Scooter Accidents: Bringing High-Energy Trauma to a Wider Audience. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2020; 102: e18
• 4 Mayhew LJ, Bergin C. Impact of e-scooter injuries on Emergency Department imaging. J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol 2019; 63: 461-466
• 5 Bambach MR, Mitchell RJ, Grzebieta RH. et al. The effectiveness of helmets in bicycle collisions with motor vehicles: a case-control study. Accid Anal Prev 2013; 53: 78-88
• 6 Persaud N, Coleman E, Zwolakowski D. et al. Nonuse of bicycle helmets and risk of fatal head injury: a proportional mortality, case-control study. CMAJ 2012; 184: 921-923
• 7 Amoros E, Chiron M, Martin JL. et al. Bicycle helmet wearing and the risk of head, face, and neck injury: a French case-control study based on a road trauma registry. Inj Prev 2012; 18: 27-32
• 8 Attewell RG, Glase K, McFadden M. Bicycle helmet efficacy: a meta-analysis. Accid Anal Prev 2001; 33: 345-352
• 9 Cripton PA, Dressler DM, Stuart CA. et al. Bicycle helmets are highly effective at preventing head injury during head impact: head-form accelerations and injury criteria for helmeted and unhelmeted impacts. Accid Anal Prev 2014; 70: 71
• 10 Hausotter W. Fahrradunfälle mit und ohne Fahrradhelm. Versicherungsmedizin 2000; 52: 28-32
• 11 Hwang K, Jeon YM, Ko YS. et al. Relationship between Locations of Facial Injury and the Use of Bicycle Helmets: A Systematic Review. Arch Plast Surg 2015; 42: 407-410
• 12 Thompson RS, Rivara FP, Thompson DC. A case-control study of the effectiveness of bicycle safety helmets. N Engl J Med 1989; 320: 1361-1367
• 13 Olivier J, Creighton P. Bicycle injuries and helmet use: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Epidemiol 2017; 46: 278-292
• 14 Elvik R. Publication bias and time-trend bias in meta-analysis of bicycle helmet efficacy: a re-analysis of Attewell, Glase and McFadden, 2001. Accid Anal Prev 2011; 43: 1245-1251
• 15 Ellwein A. Verletzungsmuster und Verletzungsschwere bei Fahrradunfällen im Großraum Göttingen [Dissertation]. Universität Göttingen, Deutschland; 2011.. Im Internet (Stand: 01.11.2020): https://d-nb.info/1042733554/34
• 16 Feiler S, Frank M. Verletzungsmuster und Verletzungsrisiko beim Skateboarding. Sportverletz Sportschaden 2000; 14: 59-64
• 17 Uluk D, Lindner T, Palmowski Y. et al. E-Scooter: erste Erkenntnisse über Unfallursachen und Verletzungsmuster. Notfall Rettungsmed 2020; 23: 293-298
• 18 Mair O, Wurm M, Müller M. et al. E-Scooter-Unfälle und deren Folgen: Erste prospektive Analyse der Verletzungsrate und Verletzungsmuster im urbanen Raum einer deutschen Millionenstadt. Unfallchirurg 2020;