Scooters are becoming a more popular way to get around the neighborhood and city, especially in larger metropolitan markets where rental scooters are available at seemingly every downtown block. The Twin Cities are no different, as there have been an influx of rental scooters available throughout the city which can be unlocked with the help of your smartphone.
But as these scooters have become more popular, so too have we seen a spike in emergency room admissions for fractures and other lower body injuries. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at some of the more common scooter-related foot and ankle injuries, and we talk about treatment and prevention.
Common Scooter Injuries
Some of the more common scooter-related injuries that affect the ankle and feet include:
Ankle Fractures – Thousands of people suffer ankle or foot fractures each year as a result of falling off a scooter or being struck by a vehicle while riding a scooter. Some of these fractures respond well to conservative care and rest, while others need surgery to correct.
Ankle Sprains – Ankle sprains are also extremely common for scooter riders. Most of these will heal just fine with rest and other conservative methods, but if ligament damage is significant enough, you may develop ankle instability.
Achilles Injuries – Achilles injuries are more common with self-propelled scooters as the rider pushes off the ground, but they can occur among either type of scooter. Surgery is usually the preferred method of treatment in order to ensure the tendon heals properly.
Plantar Fasciitis – Plantar fasciitis is another injury to keep an eye out for, especially in teens and children who are undergoing a growth spurt. Plantar fasciitis can set in as foot overuse, constant pounding and regularly pushing down on the scooter on a hard surface can lead to the onset of heel pain and plantar fascia inflammation.
Not all foot and ankle injuries from scooter-related accidents are preventable, but you can help to reduce your risk of an injury by keeping some tips in mind. For starters, make sure that you and your family are wearing protective gear each time your ride, including helmets, knee pads and ankle pads. As far as protecting your feet, be sure that you are wearing the right shoe for the occasion. An athletic shoe with good support and grip is your best bet, and avoid dress shoes, sandals or other options you wouldn’t wear during athletic activity. Also, be sure that you are familiar with the area that you are riding and that you use caution when crossing an intersection or street, because even if you have the right of way, you’re going to lose a battle against a motor vehicle.
We understand that scooters are a fun mode of transportation, but they are also contributing to more emergency room visits, so use caution when jumping on these two-wheeled vehicles. For more information or to have Dr. Silverman look at your foot or ankle issue, reach out to his clinic today.