Riding the shockwave: Escalating spine injuries from electric micromobility devices in the United States

Electric micromobility vehicle (electric scooter, bicycle, hoverboard, skateboard) usage has risen significantly since the mid-2010s, and is associated with rising orthopaedic trauma. Having a narrow base, upright posture, and allowing rapid changes in velocity, these vehicles cause disproportionately more head and spinal injuries than traditional bicycles. Understanding longitudinal trends in emergency department presentations of electric micromobility vehicle related spine injuries provides clinicians with tools to anticipate cases and develop spine-injury prevention strategies as micromobility ridership grows.

A retrospective longitudinal study was conducted, using publicly-accessible National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) data between 2015-2024. Study inclusion necessitated the documented diagnoses of: fracture, dislocation, sprain or strain, nerve injury, or contusion of the spine, localized as cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, coccygeal, or general back, and caused by electronic scooters, hoverboards, skateboards, and bicycles. Variables included patient demographics of age, sex, and race, contextual factors such as substance and alcohol use, injury location, as well as case narratives, discharge status, causative product, and diagnosis.

A total of 2699 patients who were diagnosed with electric micromobility-related back injuries between 2015 and 2024 were identified retrospectively and included in the cohort. Males (74.1%) were more likely to sustain injuries than females (25.9%; P = 0.01), and significant differences were noted across age groups (P < 0.05) with adults (34.7%) and late adults (38.6%) most likely to sustain injuries. Fractures (37.5%), contusions or abrasions (34.2%), and sprains or strains (11.4%) were the most reported injuries, with nerve injuries carrying an 0.8% incidence in the cohort. Yearly injury counts increased by a factor of 8.43 over the study period, and year-by-year increases were significant for either sex (male, female), all age groups (children, adolescents, young adults, adults, late adults), and for all electronic micromobility devices (all P < 0.05).

This study sheds light on the increasing public health burden relating to the use of electric micromobility vehicles, specifically regarding spine trauma. As popularization of these vehicles continues to increase, a rise in fractures and other trauma related injuries is expected. Patient counseling and public awareness is necessary to ensure safe use of electric micromobility vehicles.

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