Spinal injuries in motorcycle crashes: patterns and outcomes

J Trauma. 2002 Jul;53(1):5-8. doi: 10.1097/00005373-200207000-00002.

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine patterns of spinal injury and clinical outcomes resulting from motorcycle crashes.

Methods: We analyzed data collected on 1,121 motorcyclists involved in road traffic accidents (from 1993-2000) and identified those who had sustained a spinal injury.

Results: Spinal injury occurred in 126 (11.2%) riders (112 male riders [88.9%] and 14 female riders [11.1%]), with a mean age of 30.2 years (range, 16-61 years) and Injury Severity Score of 18.8 (range, 4-66). Isolated injuries to the spine occurred in 30 (23.8%) riders. The thoracic spine was injured in 69 (54.8%), the lumbar spine in 37 (29.4%), and the cervical spine in 34 (27.0%) cases. Multiple vertebral levels were affected in 54 (42.9%). Neurologic injury occurred in 25 riders (19.8%), with complete distal neurologic injury in 14 (4 cervical, 9 thoracic, and 1 lumbar). Eleven (8.7%) patients required spinal surgery. There were 13 (10.3%) deaths.

Conclusion: The thoracic spine is the most commonly injured spinal region in motorcycle crashes. Multiple level injuries are common. Protocols concentrating on the radiographic clearance of the cervical region may miss a significant number of spinal injuries. Vigilance is required in assessing these patients, who often have multiple injuries.

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Traffic / mortality
  • Accidents, Traffic / prevention & control
  • Accidents, Traffic / statistics & numerical data*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Emergency Treatment / standards
  • England / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Head Protective Devices / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Injury Severity Score
  • Length of Stay / statistics & numerical data
  • Male
  • Medical Audit
  • Middle Aged
  • Motorcycles / statistics & numerical data*
  • Population Surveillance
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Distribution
  • Spinal Injuries / diagnosis
  • Spinal Injuries / epidemiology*
  • Spinal Injuries / etiology*
  • Spinal Injuries / therapy
  • Survival Analysis
  • Treatment Outcome