[Severe fractures while driving a Segway personal transporter]

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Trauma Surgery
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Segway personal transporters are increasingly used in recreational settings.
• Understanding the biomechanics and injury patterns associated with Segway use is crucial for patient safety.
• Fracture data related to Segway incidents requires specific analysis.

Observation:

• Two cases of severe femoral neck fractures sustained while operating a Segway in an amusement park are presented.
• Case 1: A 59-year-old male with a displaced femoral neck fracture underwent initial fixation with three screws, followed by total hip replacement due to complications, and subsequent revision surgery for infection.
• Case 2: A 26-year-old male with a displaced femoral neck fracture treated with three screws experienced an uneventful fracture healing.

Findings:

• Displaced femoral neck fractures are a potential severe outcome of Segway use.
• Treatment outcomes for Segway-related femoral neck fractures can vary significantly, ranging from uneventful healing to complex surgical management including hip replacement and revision due to infection.
• The legal classification of Segways as bicycles in Denmark and the availability of specific trauma codes facilitate statistical tracking.

Implications:

• Healthcare providers should be aware of the potential for severe orthopedic injuries, such as femoral neck fractures, associated with Segway use.
• Further research into Segway-related trauma mechanisms and injury prevention strategies is warranted.
• Standardized data collection and analysis are essential for understanding the epidemiology of Segway-related injuries.