This study aims to define the characteristics of lower-extremity injuries among motorcyclists involved in traffic crashes. The results of this study provide information on the cost of different types of lower-extremity injuries and long-term disabilities that might result from these types of injuries. Methods: Crash information was obtained from examination of the National Automotive Sampling System/General Estimate System for the years 1997 to 2006. The Fatality Analysis Reporting System from 1997 through 2006 was used to develop a trend in motorcycle-related fatalities. The National Trauma Data Bank-National Sample Program (NTDB-NSP) from 2003 through 2005 was used to identify injury distribution by body region and to examine the frequency and type of lower-extremity injuries, hospital charges, and discharge disposition for motorcyclists who sustained lower-extremity injuries. Results: The number of motorcycle crashes has increased in the period from 1997 to 2006. There is an estimated 61 percent increase in the number of motorcyclists in traffic crashes in 2006 compared to 1997. The fatalities have increased from 2,028 in 1997 to 4,654 in 2006, accounting for a 129-percent increase. Most incapacitating and fatal injuries were sustained when the Initial Point of Impact was the front of the motorcycle. The analysis of the NTDB-NSP showed that lower-extremity injuries were the most common injuries sustained in motorcycle crashes, followed by upper-extremity and head injuries. Lower-extremity injuries are more frequent in motorcycle crashes; however, head, chest and abdominal injuries tend to be more severe. Motorcyclists involved in crashes sustain more leg injuries with bone fractures being the most common type of injuries when compared to soft tissue injuries. Overall, an estimated 81 percent of motorcyclists with isolated lower-extremity injuries were discharged home after acute hospital care. The discharge disposition has varied according to the number of lower-extremity injuries and their combination with other injuries. Hospital charges varied according to the number of lower-extremity injuries sustained by motorcyclists. Motorcyclists who sustained single-isolated lower-extremity injuries had an estimated median of $21,000 on hospital charges per patient. The median charges increased to an estimated $39,000 per patients with multiple lower-extremity injuries and was the highest for motorcyclists who sustained lower-extremity in combination with other injuries, at $56,000 per patient. An estimated 59 percent of the injured motorcyclists who sustained AIS 2+ injuries were covered by commercial health insurance or paid for by automobile insurance. An estimated 20 percent of the injured motorcyclists did not have any source of health insurance and were coded as self-pay. Medicaid and Medicare combined paid for an estimated 7 percent of the injured motorcyclists included in the analysis. (Author/publisher)
Abstract