Citation

Allami MK, Drakoulakis EG, Dinopoulos H, Dunsmuir R, Macdonald DA, Giannoudis PV. Inj. Extra 2005; 36(11): 511-516.

Affiliation

Trauma and Orthopaedic Department, St. James's University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.injury.2005.04.017

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Water sport accidents have been documented extensively in the literature with peak incidences reported in coastal countries during summer time holidays. However, there have been no reported cases have been documented of thoracolumbar spinal injuries following speed-boating accidents nor the actual mechanism of injury encountered during these accidents.

In this article we are reporting uncommon cases of thoracolumbar spinal injuries following speedboat accidents. Between 2000 and 2002 a total of four patients who sustained these injuries received primary treatment in the trauma unit of our institution. All the victims were passengers on board a speedboat travelling at high speed and were taking no safety measures at the time of the accident. We report on their injury patterns and outcomes following treatment and discuss the current law regarding safety regulations applied to people on board speedboats.