Motorcycle limb injuries in a developing country

Background: Motorcycles have become a very popular means of transportation in Nigeria. This paper is a hospital based study of limb injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents in an urban centre in Nigeria. Method: All patients reporting to the emergency department of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife with limb injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents between June 1998 and May 1999 were selected for this prospective study. Result: One hundred and fifteen (79.3%) out of the 145 victims of motorcycle accidents that reported to the hospital had injuries involving their limbs. The Male: Female ratio was 2.8:1. The mean age was 31.9 ± 16.7 (S. D.) years, and 20 - 29years; the most commonly involved age group. 42.2% were due to collision with automobiles, 22% pedestrian while 8.7% were collisions between motorcycles. The use of protective/safety devices was practically non-existent Seventy-six (66.1%) patients had lower limbs injuries, 25 (21.7%) patients had upper limb injuries while the remaining 14 (12.2%) injured both upper and lower limbs. The tibia was the most commonly fractured bone (32 patients, 27.8%) followed by the femur (25 patients, 21.7%). Eighty-six patients (74.8%) with fractures were managed by close reduction and splinting. Eighteen (15.7%) patients had internal fixation. Conclusion: Motorcycle accident is an important cause of limb injuries in the developing worlds. Motorcyclists need to be encouraged to use protective/safety devices.