Motorcycle Helmets Do Not Alter Risk of Spinal Fracture, While Reducing Risk of TBI by 50%

Abstract

Critical Care| May 01 2008 Motorcycle Helmets Do Not Alter Risk of Spinal Fracture, While Reducing Risk of TBI by 50% AAP Grand Rounds (2008) 19 (5): 51–52. https://doi.org/10.1542/gr.19-5-51 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Cite Icon Cite Search Site Citation Motorcycle Helmets Do Not Alter Risk of Spinal Fracture, While Reducing Risk of TBI by 50%. AAP Grand Rounds May 2008; 19 (5): 51–52. https://doi.org/10.1542/gr.19-5-51 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All PublicationsAll JournalsAAP Grand RoundsPediatricsHospital PediatricsPediatrics In ReviewNeoReviewsAAP NewsAll AAP Sites Search Advanced Search Topics: motorcycle helmets, motorcycles, protective helmet, risk reduction, spinal fractures Source: Goslar PW, Crawford NR, Petersen SR, et al. Helmet use and associated spinal fractures in motorcycle crash victims. J Trauma. 2008;64:190–196; doi: 10.1097/ta.0b013e3180f62eec Wearing a helmet reduces the incidence and severity of traumatic brain injury (TBI) sustained by victims of motorcycle crashes. However, the effect of helmet use on the incidence of cervical and thoracic spine fractures sustained in motorcycle crashes remains controversial. To determine if helmet use increased the risk of spinal fractures, the authors from Phoenix, Arizona, analyzed the incidence of spinal fractures among patients treated at a single Phoenix level I trauma center after a motorcycle crash. Every motorcycle crash victim evaluated by the trauma service at the center underwent a standardized radiologic survey of his or her cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. All trauma registry data from 2002–2005 were retrospectively reviewed. TBI was defined as any recorded change in neurologic status with abnormalities demonstrated on cranial computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Spinal fracture was defined as any bony injury to the spinal column detected during hospitalization. Patients were excluded if dead on arrival to the trauma center. Among the 422 subjects included in the analysis, 88% were male. The mean age was 33 years; 6% (26) were younger than 18 years of age. Helmets had been worn by 40% of all subjects and 50% of the teenagers (the State of Arizona requires only riders under the age of 18 years to wear helmets). Fifty-four percent of the trauma victims sustained a TBI. The odds ratio (OR) for TBI among those who wore a helmet at the time of the motorcycle crash was 0.59 (95% CI, 0.40–0.88) compared to those without a helmet, while the odds of death associated with helmet use were 0.37 (95% CI, 0.15–0.96) compared with those who did not wear a helmet. Cervical spine fractures were detected in 6% of helmeted patients and 7% of those not wearing helmets at the time of their motorcycle crash. Thoracic fractures were found in 9% of those wearing helmets and 7% of those not wearing helmets. Lumbar fractures were found in 8% of both helmeted and nonhelmeted subjects. The risk for fracture at any spinal level was not significantly associated with helmet use (OR 1.30; 95% CI, 0.79–2.15). A logistic regression model that evaluated speed and helmet use as risk factors for cervical or thoracic spine fracture found that speed at the time of impact, but not helmet use (OR 0.70; 95% CI, 0.23–2.16), was associated with risk of upper spine fracture. The authors conclude that helmet use reduced the chance of any form of TBI by almost 50% but had no statistically significant effect on the risk of cervical and thoracic fractures in those subjects who survived the motorcycle crash. Dr. Bratton has disclosed no financial relationship relevant to this commentary. This commentary does not contain a discussion of an unapproved/investigative use of a commercial product/device. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data indicate that motorcycle crashes,... You do not currently have access to this content.