Closing-wedge Osteotomies: Can We Do and Teach Better?

BACKGROUND: Wedge osteotomies are ubiquitous in pediatric orthopaedics and limb deformity surgery; however, there is no universally preferred methodology for these procedures. This study aims to determine the relative accuracy and effectiveness of several measuring and marking methods to guide best practices for wedge-shaped osteotomies in long bones. METHODS: An observational cohort study was completed. Orthopaedic residents (postgraduate years 1 to 5) completed 30-degree wedge osteotomies on a sawbone (Pacific Research Lab) femur utilizing a standard oscillating saw under 3 measuring conditions: (1) no measurement tool, (2) 30-degree triangle, and (3) goniometer, in combination with 2 different marking methods: (1) marking pen or (2) pin placement. Demographic characteristics and osteotomy performance (quality, completion time, and accuracy) were assessed. Quality was ranked as perfect (1), mild step-off (2), or gross surface irregularity (3). Multivariate regressions and analysis of variance were performed comparing demographics, osteotomy performance, and measuring methods. RESULTS: Twenty-four residents were included for analysis; 6 were female (25%). Female sex was independently associated with longer completion time when evaluating all combined scenarios (138 vs. 99 s, P =0.003) without differences in surface quality or angle accuracy. There were no significant associations between measuring technique and accuracy or surface quality, but use of the goniometer and the triangle both were associated with significantly longer completion time compared with no visual aid ( P =0.002 and 0.007). When controlling for measuring technique, use of the pen as a marking technique had significantly shorter completion times ( P <0.001), higher surface quality ( P <0.001), and better accuracy ( P <0.001) than guide pins. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend the use of a marking pen in combination with the surgeon's preferred measuring guide to optimize trainees' performance of closing wedge osteotomies. Future research is necessary to corroborate these findings in a higher fidelity setting, such as a cadaveric study. Further, while male residents complete wedge osteotomies quicker than female residents, quality and accuracy are comparable among trainees. Slower pace should not be conflated with poor performance but rather should inform effective intraoperative teaching for diverse trainees.

Nonmetallic Anterior Hemiepiphysiodesis of the Distal Femur with a Low-Profile, Pretensioned Implant: A Case Report.

CASE: A 14-year-old adolescent boy with left-sided spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy presented with a 14° left knee flexion contracture and resultant gait disturbance in the setting of an open distal femoral physis. He underwent subsequent anterior distal femur hemiepiphysiodesis with a suture anchor-based, nonmetallic implant. He achieved full correction at the 1-year follow-up and underwent uncomplicated implant removal. CONCLUSION: A low-profile, suture-based implant used for pediatric knee flexion deformity may allow surgeons to control growth in a reversible fashion by tensioning the physis while possibly avoiding some of the complications associated with currently used implants.

Pediatric Diving-Related Injuries in Swimming Pools Presenting to US Emergency Departments: 2008-2020.

OBJECTIVES: Recreational swimming/diving is among the most common physical activities in US children and a significant cause of morbidity across the United States. This study updates the national epidemiology of diving-related injuries. METHODS: The Consumer Product Safety Commission's National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database was queried for patients aged 0 to 19 from 2008 to 2020 who presented to any of the 100 National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-participating emergency departments for a diving-related injury. Dive characteristics such as dive height, dive skill, dive direction, and dive sequence were determined from case narratives. RESULTS: A total of 1202 cases were identified for analysis corresponding to a total national estimate of 37,387 diving related injuries during the period from 2008 to 2020 and a national incidence of 3.6 injuries per 100,000 population. Males accounted for 64% of injuries. The average yearly incidences of injury in the 10 to 14 and 15 to 19 age groups were identical at 5.8 per 100,000. Contact with the diving board or platform was the most common cause of injury (34%). Diving backwards or attempting a flip or handstand dive were associated with increased odds of sustaining an injury resulting from contact with the diving board or platform (odds ratio, 16.0 and 6.9, respectively). In 2020, the incidence of diving-related injury fell to 1.6 per 100,000 population. CONCLUSIONS: Diving injuries are common in children and adolescents, especially in boys aged 10 to 19. There was a significant reduction in diving-related injury corresponding with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Treatment of Septic Arthritis of the Hip Joint Using Repeated Aspirations: When Should We Operate?

Background: The well-accepted treatment of septic arthritis of the hip joint (SAHJ) is surgical drainage of the joint, but repeated aspirations of the hip joint under sonography, have been used for over twenty years with significant success in some centers, including ours. In recent years, we identified some children who did not respond to aspirations and had to undergo arthrotomies. We were concerned that some children may have reached the operating room after a longer than ideal time. Objective: Identification of the characteristics of patients who did not respond to repeated aspirations and development of a treatment algorithm that expedites decision-making regarding the necessity of surgery. Methods: This is a single-center retrospective cohort analysis. All the patients diagnosed with SAHJ between 2007 and 2019 were identified. Patients who responded to repeated aspirations were compared to those who did not improve and required surgery. Demographic and clinical data and laboratory results were obtained from the patients' electronic medical records. Results: Forty-eight children (88.9%) were treated successfully with repeated aspirations and six children (11.1%) did not improve after aspirations and underwent hip arthrotomies. Five out of 48 children from the aspiration group (10.4%) and 4 out of 6 from the arthrotomy group (66.7%) had chronic comorbidities (p = 0.0051). The mean duration of fever over 38.5 degrees centigrade and the length of stay were higher in the arthrotomy group (p = 0.0040, p = 0.0301, respectively). When we examined the change in C-reactive protein (CRP) levels before and after the first aspiration (Delta CRP), we found a decrease in the aspiration group and an increase in the arthrotomy group (p = 0.0044). Conclusion: The new algorithm which we present allows an expeditious assessment of the patient's response to the repeated aspiration method and thus prevents unnecessary surgeries for the treatment of SAHJ. Patients with chronic comorbidities, prolonged fever, and an increase in CRP level following the first aspiration, are at risk of treatment failure and should be treated with an arthrotomy. Level of evidence for clinical articles: Level 4-cohort study.

Management of Salter-Harris II distal femur fractures - what is the state of practice? A survey of Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America membership.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V Expert Opinion.

Reduction in Diameter of Hamstring Autograft With Additional Circumferential Preconditioning During ACL Reconstruction in a Pediatric Population.

BACKGROUND: Over 130,000 anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions (ACLRs) are performed annually in the United States. Previous studies have shown that circumferential preconditioning reduces the diameter of fresh-frozen allografts, but no studies have described the effect in ACL autografts used during ACLR. PURPOSE: To characterize the changes in the hamstring autograft diameter as a result of preparatory circumferential preconditioning. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: A total of 135 patients with ACLR, with a median age of 15 years (interquartile range, 14-16 years; 50.4% boys), were identified in 2 pediatric hospitals. Three orthopaedic surgeons recorded hamstring autograft diameters at 2 time points during graft preparation. Hamstring tendons were prepared using a standardized procedure, tensioned to 15 to 20 lbs, and measured using cylindrical sizing guides. The graft was left with passive compression in the smallest initial rigid sizing guide for 10 minutes on both the tibial and femoral sides and then measured again immediately before implantation. Tunnels were drilled based on the second measurement of graft size. Comparisons were made between the graft diameter before and after circumferential preconditioning. A random-effects regression model and a linear regression model were performed to capture any unexplained variance on the linear predictor scale and determine correlations between demographics and graft characteristics. RESULTS: The median initial diameter for both femoral and tibial sides was 9.5 mm. After longitudinal tension and circumferential preconditioning, the median autograft diameter of both sides decreased by 1 mm (P < .001) to 8.5 mm. In the random-effects model, decreased patient height was a significant predictor of greater reduction in graft diameter. Increased height was a significant predictor for greater initial graft diameter (average beta coefficient = 3.08; P < .01). No intraoperative complications were noted with implantation of the preconditioned grafts in smaller diameter tunnels. CONCLUSION: The median diameter of hamstring ACL autografts decreases by 1 mm after circumferential preconditioning within standard cylindrical sizing guides. This allowed for drilling of tunnels that were an average of 1 mm smaller without any noted intraoperative complications with graft insertion.

Open Reduction of Medial Epicondyle Fractures in the Pediatric Population: Supine Versus Prone Position.

BACKGROUND: Operative treatment of medial epicondyle fractures can be performed in either a supine or prone position. In the supine position, fracture visualization is sometimes difficult due to the posterior position of the medial epicondyle. However, the prone position requires extensive patient repositioning but may improve visualization. The purpose of this study was to compare the results and complications between the supine and prone position when treating medial epicondyle fractures. METHODS: In a retrospective chart review, patients below 18 who underwent open reduction and internal fixation of an acute medial epicondyle fracture from January 2011 to August 2019 were identified. Patients with <2 months follow-up and concomitant fractures were excluded. Surgical variables, outcomes, and complications were recorded and compared between the supine and prone positions. RESULTS: Sixteen surgeons treated the 204 patients evaluated in this study. The mean age was 11.7 years. In all, 122 (60%) patients were treated in the supine position, and 82 (40%) in the prone position. The mean time in the room was 113 minutes in the supine group, and 141 minutes in the prone group (P<0.001). Tourniquet time was similar between groups (P=0.4). Displacement of the fracture on the first postoperative x-rays was 2.06 mm for the supine position and 1.1 mm for the prone position (P<0.001). We also found good interobserver and intraobserver reliability for the measurements. Five patients (2.5%) required reoperation due to stiffness, 2 patients due to nonunion, 1 patient due to tardy ulnar nerve palsy, and 53 (26%) had surgical hardware removal. The surgical position was not associated with complications or reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: While the prone position requires additional time in the operating room, presumably for positioning, the length of the surgical procedure itself does not differ between the 2 positions. Although the trend of the surgeons at our center is towards the prone position, with surgeons that try it usually doing all their subsequent cases that way, both positions provide excellent clinical outcomes with minimal complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic level III-retrospective cohort study.

Predicting Risk of Recurrent Patellofemoral Instability With Measurements of Extensor Mechanism Containment.

BACKGROUND: Identifying risk factors for recurrent patellar dislocation after a primary dislocation may help guide initial treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements relating the alignment of the extensor mechanism to trochlear morphology have been shown to distinguish patients with dislocations from controls, but their usefulness in predicting the risk of a second dislocation is not known. PURPOSE: To identify the association of novel MRI measures of patellar containment with recurrent instability in pediatric patients presenting with a first-time patellar dislocation. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (Prognosis); Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: The study was conducted at a tertiary care children's hospital (2005-2014) on patients (age, 8-19 years) with a first-time patellar dislocation. MRI measurements were made by 2 independent raters. Interobserver reliability was assessed for all measurements via an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Only measurements with an ICC >0.8 were included. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate variables associated with recurrence. RESULTS: A total of 165 patients with a median age of 14 years and a slight (57.6%) female predominance was identified. The median follow-up length of the whole cohort was 12.2 months (interquartile range, 1.6-37.1 months). Subsequent instability was documented in 98 patients (59.4%). MRI measurements with excellent correlation (ICC > 0.8) were the tibial tubercle to trochlear groove distance (TT-TG), the tangential axial width of the patella, the tangential axial trochlear width, the axial width of the patellar tendon beyond the lateral trochlear ridge (LTR), and the tibial tubercle to LTR distance. In univariate analysis, all mentioned MRI measurements had significant association with recurrent instability. However, after both backward and forward stepwise regression analyses, the tibial tubercle to LTR distance was the only independent predictor of recurrent instability (P = .003 in both). Patients with a tibial tubercle to LTR distance value greater than -1 mm had a significantly higher rate of recurrent patellar dislocation (72%). CONCLUSION: Of numerous axial view MRI parameters, only the tibial tubercle to LTR distance demonstrated a statistically significant association with recurrent patellar instability upon multivariable logistic regression analysis during short-term follow-up of a pediatric population presenting with initial lateral patellar dislocation. Interobserver correlation of the tibial tubercle to LTR distance was good (ICC > 0.8) and similar to that of TT-TG.

Open Reduction of Closed Pediatric Tibial Shaft Fractures Treated With Intramedullary Stabilization Does Not Increase Risk of Postoperative Complications.

OBJECTIVE: To compare union and complication rates in pediatric patients presenting with tibial shaft fractures treated with closed or open reduction before intramedullary stabilization. DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Multiple pediatric trauma centers. PATIENTS: Pediatric patients presenting with tibial shaft fractures treated with intramedullary stabilization. INTERVENTION: Intramedullary stabilization after closed or open reduction (percutaneous and open approach). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Union rates, infection rate (superficial and deep), and unplanned return to the operating room (OR). RESULTS: One hundred sixty-six patients were included in this study. One hundred thirty-six patients presented with closed fractures, and 30 patients presented with open tibial shaft fractures. Thirty-seven of the 136 patients (27%) with closed fractures had their fracture specifically opened during surgical fixation. There was no statistical difference in radiographic union at 6 months between fractures electively opened and those treated with closed reduction alone 97% versus 98% (P = 0.9). No patient who underwent an open reduction developed infections or wound-healing concerns, whereas 2 of the 99 (2%) patients treated closed had superficial surgical site infections requiring additional treatment (P = 0.999). There was no difference in unplanned return to OR between those who underwent open reduction at the time of intramedullary stabilization (P = 0.568). CONCLUSION: Performing an open reduction in a closed pediatric tibial shaft fracture before intramedullary fixation does not increase the risk of surgical site infections or wound issues, delayed union, or unplanned return to the OR. An open reduction of a closed tibial shaft fracture for purposes of improving a reduction before intramedullary stabilization may be a safe and effective clinical practice. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Outcome Measure Utilization Demonstrates No Relation to Journal Rank or Level of Evidence for Superior Labral Tears of the Shoulder.

Introduction Superior labrum anterior to posterior (SLAP) tears are injuries of the shoulder's glenoid labrum involving biceps tendon insertion. We describe the scope of outcome measures used in the SLAP tear literature over the last decade and evaluate whether objective study metrics relate to level of evidence (LOE) and journal rank. Methods A comprehensive review of the literature was performed to identify all articles on the outcomes of the treatment of patients with SLAP tears published over the period of a decade (2007-2016). Studies were reviewed for LOE, SCImago Scientific Journal Ranking (SJR), study characteristics, and patient demographics. The utilization frequencies of outcome measures were recorded. Outcome measures were categorized as clinician-measured outcomes (CMOs), outcome scores/patient-reported outcomes (PROs), or other reported outcomes (OROs). Univariate analyses compared demographics and outcome-measure utilization among studies grouped by LOE (high: I/II vs. low: III/IV) and SJR (high: >2 vs. low: <2). Results The literature review identified 86 studies meeting inclusion criteria from an initial search of 582 articles. The mean study SJR was 2.02 and 0.85 +/- 0.79 CMOs were included. Twenty different outcome scores were utilized in the reviewed literature with a mean of 2.66 +/- 1.61 PROs/study. The most common outcome scores were ASES score, pain Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and constant score. High SJR studies had longer follow-up (p=0.036). High LOE studies utilized more CMOs (p=0.008) and more commonly included physical exam findings (p=0.0015). Revision surgery rate was less commonly reported in high LOE studies (p=0.036). None of the other outcome measures studied were associated with high study LOE or SJR. Conclusions Considerable variability exists in outcome-measure utilization within the recent SLAP tear literature. ASES score, pain VAS, and constant score are the most commonly reported PROs. CMOs and OROs are infrequently reported. There is little objectivity distinguishing higher and lower quality studies based on the proxy metrics used. Future SLAP tear research should focus on improving the consistency of outcome-measure reporting to enable more meaningful cross-study comparisons.

Expert Consensus for a Principle-based Classification for Treatment of Diaphyseal Pediatric Femur Fractures.

INTRODUCTION: Recent studies demonstrate considerable deviation from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of pediatric diaphyseal femur fractures (PDFFs). This study aimed to determine if expert-consensus can be reached on a principle-based classification to be applied broadly to a wide variety of PDFF scenarios and if outcomes correspond to adherence to the classification. METHODS: A 2-stage study was performed. First, a survey of experts using a principle-based approach to PDFF. We conducted a survey of 17 thought-leaders (criteria≥20 y' experience+authors of the seminal pediatric femur fracture studies) who were asked to classify 15 cases of PDFF using the principle-based classification for agreement. Next, we conducted a retrospective review of 289 consecutive PDFF treated (2011-2015) at a level 1 pediatric trauma center. For each case, we compared the actual treatment and proposed "ideal" principle-based classification. We then compared clinical results and outcome data points including the length of stay, physician visits, and hospital charge data. RESULTS: A substantial (κ=0.7) expert-agreement was noted for assigning treatment principles with near-perfect (κ=0.93) agreement on conservative versus surgical management. We obtained agreement on employing a flexible implant (κ=0.84) rigid fixation (κ=0.75) and damage control philosophy (κ=0.64). Suboptimal clinical results were noted in 43% of the undertreated patients (24/56), 18.8% of the adequately treated, and 14.3% of overtreated (P<0.01) patients. An increasing trend for the length of hospital stay and a number of clinic visits was noted as the treatment class increased (P<0.01). Charges were 4.2 times higher for an episode of operative versus nonoperative care (P<0.01). Rigid fixation (class 4) had significantly (P=0.01) higher total and material charges than flexible fixation (class 3). DISCUSSION: The proposed classification has a substantial agreement among thought-leaders. Clinical results demonstrated significantly more suboptimal results in undertreated fractures, compared with ideally treated or more invasively treated fractures. More invasive treatments led to increased burden to families and the system in terms of length of stay and hospital charges. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Septic Arthritis of the Knee in Children: A Critical Analysis Review.

¼ Septic arthritis of the knee is the most common type of septic arthritis in children, and it may result in irreversible joint damage. ¼ Staphylococcus aureus is the most common pathogen associated with septic arthritis, but other causative pathogens are possible in children with certain risk factors. ¼ The diagnosis of septic arthritis of the knee is based on history and physical examination, blood tests, and arthrocentesis. ¼ Empiric treatment with anti-staphylococcal penicillin or a first-generation cephalosporin is usually recommended but may be tailored according to local resistance patterns and clinical culture data. ¼ Open or arthroscopic surgical debridement including extensive lavage is effective in eradicating infection, and most patients do not require additional surgical intervention.

Rigid locked nail fixation for pediatric tibia fractures - Where are the data?

Tibial shaft fractures are common injuries among the pediatric and adolescent population. Conservative treatment remains the preferred treatment. However, over the last two decades, there has been an increasing trend of operative fixation in pediatric tibia fractures, commonly with intramedullary nail fixation (IMN). Elastic stable intramedullary nails (ESIN) are heavily used especially in skeletally immature patients as they are physeal respecting and the technique for insertion is familiar. Alternatively, reamed locked intramedullary nails (RIMN) have gained traction in adolescents and skeletally immature pre-adolescents. When identifying publications germane to intramedullary fixation of pediatric tibia fractures, the majority investigated clinical and radiographic outcomes associated with ESIN. We were able to identify only one study specifically examining RIMN in this population, albeit other studies included patients treated with RIMN. In parallel, there has been considerable progress in the field of skeletal maturity estimation with criteria based on different anatomic regions. However, little data exists for trauma purposes as no gold standard system had been accepted and proven to be precise for determination of potential growth remaining around the knee or for quantifying the risk of damage to the proximal tibial physis. Systems devised have been either unvalidated or unnecessarily complex or both. In order to achieve more informed treatment choices and optimal patient outcomes when using IMN fixation in pediatrics, simple to use, validated plain film-based methodology is needed to define skeletal maturity for the proximal tibia. Additionally, further examination of outcomes and the role of RIMN in this population are warranted.

Kickball and Its Underappreciated Pediatric Injury Burden: An 18-Year Retrospective Epidemiological Study.

BACKGROUND: Kickball is a popular childhood game most frequently played during gym class or recess at schools throughout the United States (US). Despite this, the national health burden of injuries associated with kickball has never been explored in the US pediatric population. PURPOSE: To report national estimates and demographic characteristics of pediatric patients presenting to US emergency departments between 2000 and 2017 with kickball-associated injuries. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiology study. METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database (2000-2017) to identify annual cases of injuries associated with playing kickball presenting to US emergency departments in the pediatric population (age ≤18 years). RESULTS: On average, 10,644 (95% CI, 8671-12,618) pediatric kickball-associated injuries presented to US emergency departments each year. There was no significant change in the number of injuries between the years 2000 (n = 10,331; 95% CI, 7781-12,881) and 2017 (n = 9407; 95% CI, 7233-11,582) (P = .64). Patients frequently sustained sprains, strains, or muscle tears (34.4%; 95% CI, 32.4%-36.5%) and fractures (24.8%; 95% CI, 23.1%-26.5%); these injuries most commonly affected the ankle (13.7%; 95% CI, 12.2%-15.2%) and the fingers of the hand (17.1%; 95% CI, 15.5%-18.7%). The greatest proportion of injuries occurred in male patients (60.7%; 95% CI, 58.7%-62.7%) who were 10 to 12 years of age (44.8%; 95% CI, 43.0%-46.6%), with over half of kickball-associated injuries occurring at school (54.1%; 95% CI, 50.7%-57.5%). CONCLUSION: Despite kickball's ubiquity as a schoolyard game, its associated injuries remain largely underappreciated. This is particularly unjustified when considering that the annual pediatric injury burden associated with playing kickball surpasses that of other sports acknowledged as carrying a high injury risk, such as martial arts or tennis.

Reconsidering the "Classic" Clinical History Associated with Subluxations of the Radial Head.

INTRODUCTION: The national burden of radial head subluxations in the United States (U.S.) population is poorly defined, and non-classical injury mechanisms have been increasingly reported in recent years. The purpose of this study is to report historical national estimates and demographic characteristics of patients presenting to U.S. emergency departments (ED) with subluxations of the radial head. METHODS: This cross-sectional, retrospective study analyzes the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database (2001-2017) to identify patients ≤ 7 years of age presenting to U.S. EDs with subluxations of the radial head. RESULTS: Linear regression (R2 = 0.65; P < 0.01) demonstrated that the annual number of patients presenting to U.S. EDs with subluxations of the radial head increased significantly (P < 0.001) between 2001 (N=13,247; confidence interval [CI], 9,492-17,001) and 2010 (N=21,723; CI, 18,762-24,685), but did not change significantly between 2010 and 2017 (R2 < 0.01; P = 0.85). It also demonstrated that 51.0% (CI, 45.3%-56.6%) of injuries were either self-induced or spontaneous, whereas 36.8% (CI, 31.6%-42.0%) and 9.4% (CI, 8.0%-10.7%) were associated with parents/guardians or siblings, respectively. The majority of injuries occurred in patients who were the age of one (33.5%; CI, 32.1%-35.0%) and two (35.1%; CI, 33.7%-36.6%); females (57.8%; CI, 56.8%-58.9%) were more commonly injured than males. CONCLUSION: Although the national burden of radial head subluxations may be less than previously reported, it still results in over 20,000 ED visits annually in the U.S. Given that over half of such injuries are actually self-induced or spontaneous, caretakers should be taught to recognize the clinical presentation of radial head subluxation, since the classically described history of a patient being lifted or pulled by the arm may simply have never occurred.

Orthopaedic injuries among electric bicycle users.

INTRODUCTION: The use of electric bicycles (E-bike) has dramatically increased. E-bikes offer convenient, environmental-friendly, and less expensive alternative to other forms of transport. However, E-bikes provide a new public health challenge in terms of safety and injury prevention. This study is the first to specifically investigate the E-bike related orthopaedic injuries, based on a national trauma registry. METHODS: Data from a National Trauma Registry were reviewed for patients hospitalized following E-bike related injuries. Between Jan 2014 to Dec 2015, a total of 549 patients were reviewed. Data were analyzed according to demography, type of orthopaedic injury, associated injuries and severity, injury mechanism and treatment in the operating room. RESULTS: A total of 360 (65%) patients sustained orthopaedic injuries, out of them 230 (63.8%) sustained limb/pelvis/spine fractures. Lower extremity fractures were more prevalent than upper extremity fractures (p<0.001). The tibia was the most fractured bone (19.2%). Patients over the age of 50 years were at the highest risk for spine (20. 5%, p=0.0001), pelvis (15.9%, p=0.0001) and femoral neck (15.9%, p=0.0172) fractures relative to other age groups. Approximately 42% of patients sustained associated injuries, with head/neck/face injuries being the most prevalent (30.3%). followed by chest (11.9%) and abdominal injury (13.3%). A collision between E-bike and a motorized vehicle was the mechanism of injury in 35% of cases. In this mechanism of injury, patients had 1.7 times the risk for associated injuries (p<0.0001) and the risk for major trauma (ISS score ≥16) was more than the double (p=0.03). One third of patients with orthopaedic injuries required treatment in the operating room. Treatment varied depending on the type of fracture. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides unique information on epidemiological characteristics of orthpaedic injuries caused be E-bikes, pertinent both to medical care providers, as well as to health policy-makers allocating resources and formulating prevention strategies.