402 - Pediatric Orthopaedic Injuries Associated with Electric Skateboard Use

Publication Number: 402.6244

Morgan Roche, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, United States; Rachel E. Katz, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bellmore, NY, United States; Alexa Karkenny, The Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, NY, United States

Background: Electric skateboards have become increasingly popular among younger demographics seeking alternative modes of transportation but pose danger, reaching speeds up to 28 mph. Previous studies have detailed pediatric injuries associated with hoverboards and electric scooters but not electric skateboards.

Objective: We aim to provide a comprehensive profile of electric skateboard-related injuries in a pediatric population to inform advocacy and injury prevention strategy.

Design/Methods: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) was queried for injuries associated with electric skateboard use in children ages 0 to 17 years from 2014 to 2023. The primary outcomes included the incidence of fractures and dislocations, including anatomic locations. Secondary outcomes included the incidence of amputations, concussions, contusions/abrasions, hematomas, strains/sprains, lacerations, punctures, crushing injuries, nerve damage, and foreign bodies.

Results: From 2014 to 2023, there were 86 electric skateboard-related injuries reported in children ages 0 to 17, including 127 distinct diagnoses. The majority of these injuries overall (90%, n=77) and distinct diagnoses (93%, n=118) were reported in the past 5 years. Fractures represented 26% (n=33) of the diagnoses related to electric skateboard use in the past 10 years, and 94% (n=31) of these fractures occurred in the past 5 years. The most common fracture locations were the wrist (21%, n=7), clavicle (21%, n=7), and skull (15%, n=5). No dislocations were reported. The most common secondary outcomes were contusions/abrasions and concussions, which accounted for 26% (n=33) and 10% (n=13) of all diagnoses, respectively.

Conclusion(s): These results demonstrate an increasing incidence of fractures associated with electric skateboard use in children over the past decade. Multiple factors could account for the spike in incidence from 2019 to 2021. The popular “Evolve GTR” electric skateboard series was released in 2019. Additionally, “Boosted,” another popular brand, went bankrupt in early 2020, resulting in widespread availability of discounted boards from resellers. The incidence of wrist fractures indicates that wrist guards may be an option for fracture prevention in children riding electric skateboards. Although there was an equal incidence of clavicle fractures, currently no protective equipment has been proven effective in preventing these fractures. The incidence of head fractures and concussions supports the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation of helmet use when engaging in recreational sports, which orthopaedists can communicate to patients.

Common Injuries Associated with Electric Skateboard Use in Children
Figure 1. Incidence of the three most common electric skateboard-related injuries per year in a pediatric population.

Fracture Sites Associated with Electric Skateboard Use in Children
Figure 2. Anatomical fracture sites associated with electric skateboard use in pediatric patients from 2014 to 2023 (bold font denotes the top 3 sites).