Researchers Find Increase in Injuries on Crutches
Injuries to young people related to the use of crutches, wheelchairs, and walkers are on the rise - up an estimated 8% annually between 1991 and 2008, according to an article by Reuters Health based on a study published in Pediatrics.
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May 29, 2010 10:43 AM -
The researchers analyzed almost 2 decades worth of data collected by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. They found that between 1991 and 2008 an estimated 63,309 young people went to the emergency room because of an accident involving a wheelchair, walker, or crutches. The use of mobility aids sent more than 3,000 people aged 19 or younger to the emergency room in 2008.
Even though crutches are the number one mobility aid used by children and adolescents, says the article, 67% of the injuries involved wheelchairs, followed by crutches at 25%, and walkers at 8%. Lacerations were the most common injury. Most of the children did not require a hospital stay, but 4 out of 100 injuries were serious enough to require hospital admission.
Wheelchair and walker-related injuries were more likely to result in traumatic brain injury and hospital stay than injuries involving crutches, the investigators found. Misuse of the mobility aid accounted for 7% of the injuries.
Three out of four times, the injury was caused by tipping of the device or falling as the result of coming upon some sort of obstacle such as stairs, a curb, a ramp, rough ground, or icy, wet conditions. The researchers said it's not clear from the data whether people were appropriately taught how to use the mobility aid.
If you have ANY questions on the safe use of crutches, canes, or wheelchairs, including height of canes & crutches, call ECRC Physical Therapy for assistance. Physician referral not required.
