Retrospective study on fracture patterns associated with motorcycle accidents and other vehicle accidents.

Abstract

PurposeThere are a limited of studies on determining injury patterns according to motorcycle types and comparing them with other vehicles. We evaluated data on the fractures and dislocations resulting from motorcycle and passenger car collisions.MethodsThis was a retrospective review of 1149 patients. Patients were divided into four groups based on whether they were e-scooter, moped, motorcycle, or passenger car. Furthermore, using a two-group design, two groups were created: one for all types of motorcycles and another for passenger cars. We evaluated data on the types of fractures and dislocations resulting from motorcycle and passenger car collisions, whether they required surgical intervention, hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) rates, injury severity scores (ISS), concomitant injuries, and the mechanism of injury.Results174 (15.1%) e-scooter, 135 (11.7%) motorcycle, 156 (13.6%) moped, and 684 (59.5%) passenger car riders were represented in the study. Lower extremity fractures occurred at a rate of 427 (37.2%). Of the fractures, 126 (11.0%) were open fractures, while 416 (36.2%) extended into the joint. For the ISS, the median values were 9.0 (7.0-14.0)^a for e-scooters, 14.0 (10.0-18.0)^b for motorcycle riders, 10.0 (8.0-16.0)^b for moped riders, and 12.0 (8.0-17.0)^b for car passenger riders, and these differences were statistically significant (p<0.001).ConclusionThe fractures observed in motorcycle riders tended to be more open fractures and more likely to extend into the joint. The low speed of e-scooter collisions may reduce the severity of trauma; nevertheless, falls occurring at low to moderate speeds among motorcycle and moped riders can lead to more serious injuries.