Mobility aid-related injuries treated in US emergency departments between 1991 and 2008

Background: Children use mobility aids due to chronic disabilities or temporarily after surgery or injury. While mobility aids such as crutches, walkers, or wheelchairs are beneficial, they can be associated with injury. Our objective was to describe the epidemiology of pediatric mobility aid-related injuries to children ≤19 years of age treated in US emergency departments between 1991 and 2008.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using data for children ≤ 19 years of age from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database. Sample weights were used to calculate national estimates of mobility aid-related injuries.

Results: An estimated 63 309 children ≤19 years of age were treated in U.S. emergency departments for mobility aid-related injuries. Approximately 70% of mobility aid-related injuries occurred while patients were using wheelchairs. Young children 2-10 years of age were more likely to sustain injuries while using walkers and wheelchairs, injure their heads, and sustain traumatic brain injuries. Older children 11-19 years of age were more likely to sustain injuries while using crutches, injure their lower extremities, and sustain sprains and strains. The majority of injuries 74.8% occurred because the patient fell or tipped over while using the mobility aid. Environmental factors including stairs, curbs, and rough terrain were identified as common factors which triggered injury.

Conclusions: Injuries related to crutches, walkers, and wheelchairs have distinct injury patterns, mechanisms of injury, and trigger factors. Injury patterns between younger and older children were different. Further research is needed to identify effective injury prevention strategies for the pediatric population.