Mountain biking injuries in rural England

http://bjsm.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/35/3/197

British Journal of Sports Medicine 2001;35:197-199; doi:10.1136/bjsm.
35.3.197
Copyright © 2001 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd & British Association of
Sport and Exercise Medicine.
Br J Sports Med 2001; 35:197-199
© 2001 the British Journal of Sports Medicine


Short report



Mountain biking injuries in rural England

L M Jeys1, G Cribb1, A D Toms1, S M Hay1

1 Trauma Unit, Orthopaedic Surgery Department, Royal Shrewsbury
Hospital, Mytton Oak Road, Shrewsbury, UK

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to: Dr Jeys, 27 Newton Park Road, West Kirby, Wirral
CH48 9XE, UK
Abstract

Background*Off road mountain biking is now an extremely popular
recreation and a potent cause of serious injury.

Aim*To establish the morbidity associated with this sport.

Methods*Data were collected prospectively over one year on all
patients presenting with an injury caused by either recreational or
competitive off road mountain biking.

Results*Eighty four patients were identified, 70 males and 14 females,
with a mean age of 22.5 years (range 8–71). Most accidents occurred
during the summer months, most commonly in August. Each patient had an
average of 1.6 injuries (n = 133) and these were divided into 15
categories, ranging from minor soft tissue to potentially life
threatening. Operative intervention was indicated for 19 patients
(23%) and several required multiple procedures. The commonest injuries
were clavicle fractures (13%), shoulder injuries (12%), and distal
radial fractures (11%). However, of a more sinister nature, one
patient had a C2/3 dislocation requiring urgent stabilisation, one
required a chest drain for a haemopneumothorax, and another required
an emergency and life saving nephrectomy.

Conclusion*This sport has recently experienced an explosion in
popularity, and, as it carries a significant risk of potentially life
threatening injury across all levels of participation, the use of
protective equipment to reduce this significant morbidity may be
advisable.