[Bicycle accidents in the aged]

Between January 1st, 1998 and May 31st, 2000 the total of 7852 patients were treated at the Klinik Lindenplatz. 36 of them (14 male and 22 female) received an orthopedic rehabilitation after an operative treatment of a fracture due to a bicycle accident. 57% of them were older than 60. In 81% of the injuries the lower extremities were affected. Main injuries were medial fractures of the neck of the femur and fractures of the proximal femur. Skidding bikes had most frequently caused the accidents (44%). With the elderly patients one of the common causes of an injury was their falling from the bike or their failing attempt of getting on or off. Most of the patients had fallen without hitting or colliding with another biker, car or other extraneous influence. As the most serious fractures have occurred to elderly people, it is worth discussing the use of a hip protector, which could avoid these severe injuries.