Paediatric treadmill injuries: an increasing problem

Journal of Pediatric Surgery, 2007

Background: Treadmill injuries in children tend to be severe and are becoming increasingly common. We present an overview of this problem to promote public awareness, education, and to advocate a prevention strategy for this preventable injury. Methods: Medical records of all children with treadmill-related injuries during a 6-year period (January 2001-November 2006) from 2 tertiary pediatric hospitals were reviewed. Data on patient demographics, injury related data, types of surgical procedure, and outcome of treatment were collected. Results: Forty-four children with treadmill-related injuries were admitted in a 6-year period (2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006). Each year, the incidence increased with 17 (39%) cases occurring in 2006 so far. The median age of injury at the time of incident was 2.8 years (range, 8 months-12 years). There was a higher incidence in males (55%) compared with females (45%). Most of these injuries were to the hand (75%), fullthickness burns (59%), b1% of total burn surface area (TBSA) (73%), and occurred while the treadmill was in use by an adult (34%). Twenty-one (47%) children required skin grafting surgery. Conclusion: Treadmill-related burn injuries in children are a serious public health issue and warrants considerable attention. Adult supervision is paramount, and prevention strategies should include child safety features in equipment designs. Crown

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 2009

The aim of this study was to report on the severity and incidence of children injured by treadmills and to promote the implementation of safety standards. Method: This retrospective review of children with treadmill friction injuries was conducted in a single tertiary-level burns centre in Australia between January 1997 and June 2007. Results: The study revealed 37 children who sustained paediatric treadmill friction injuries. This was a presentation of 1% of all burns. Thirty-three (90%) of the injuries occurred in the last 3.5 years (January 2004 to June 2007). The modal age was 3.2 years. Thirty-three (90%) injuries were either full thickness or deep partial friction burns. Eleven (30%) required split thickness skin grafts. Of those who became entrapped, 100% required skin grafting. Conclusion: This study found that paediatric treadmill friction injuries are severe and increasing in incidence. Australian standards should be developed, implemented and mandated to reduce this preventable and severe injury.

Burns, 2016

Journal of Surgical Research, 2011

The aim of this study was to report on the severity and incidence of children injured by treadmills and to promote the implementation of safety standards. Method: This retrospective review of children with treadmill friction injuries was conducted in a single tertiary-level burns centre in Australia between January 1997 and June 2007. Results: The study revealed 37 children who sustained paediatric treadmill friction injuries. This was a presentation of 1% of all burns. Thirty-three (90%) of the injuries occurred in the last 3.5 years (January 2004 to June 2007). The modal age was 3.2 years. Thirty-three (90%) injuries were either full thickness or deep partial friction burns. Eleven (30%) required split thickness skin grafts. Of those who became entrapped, 100% required skin grafting. Conclusion: This study found that paediatric treadmill friction injuries are severe and increasing in incidence. Australian standards should be developed, implemented and mandated to reduce this preventable and severe injury.

Equine Veterinary Journal, 2010

During the past 20 years, treadmill exercise testing has played an important role in both the study of equine exercise physiology and the investigation of poor athletic performance. However, it has been suggested that some trainers and veterinarians may be reluctant to refer horses for treadmill exercise testing because of fears that horses may be at increased risk of musculoskeletal injury during treadmill exercise. Objective: To investigate the incidence and types of injuries sustained by horses undergoing treadmill exercise. Methods: Data were collated from 9 centres in the UK, France and Belgium, and the prevalence and types of injury were established. Results: A total of 2305 records were reviewed, with 2258 horses performing treadmill exercise. There was an overall injury rate of 5.4%. However, the majority of injuries sustained were minor in nature (4.7%). Only 13 horses (0.6%) sustained major injuries in association with treadmill exercise. These included 5 cases of severe exercise-induced myopathy, 4 fractures (of which 1 was catastrophic), 2 tendon injuries, 1 case with undiagnosed severe lameness and 1 with marked exacerbation of a previously diagnosed lameness. Two other major incidents were reported but were not directly associated with treadmill exercise (one had iliac thrombosis and one collapsed and died as a result of a pulmonary embolism). Conclusions: This study confirms that the majority of horses undergo treadmill exercise without incident. The majority of injuries that did occur were minor in nature and the incidence of major injuries was similar to that reported during competition elsewhere. Potential relevance: Treadmill exercise is a safe procedure and does not appear to pose an increased risk of injury in comparison with overground exercise. evj_234 70..75

Developmental Neurorehabilitation, 2010

The aim of the present study was to report on adverse events encountered with robotic-assisted treadmill therapy in children and adolescents with gait disorders. Methods: Eighty-nine patients who underwent a trial of robotic assisted treadmill therapy in the two participating centres were analysed. Demographic data and safety data of the patients were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: In 38 (42.7%) out of 89 patients, adverse events were documented. Most commonly, mild skin erythema at the sites of the cuffs of the device and muscle pain were encountered. In five patients (5.6%), open skin lesions (n ¼ 2), joint pain (n ¼ 2) or tendinopathy (n ¼ 1) limited the continuation of the therapy with the Lokomat. No severe side-effects emerged. Conclusions: Robotic assisted treadmill therapy is a safe method to enable longer periods of gait therapy in children and adolescents with gait disorders.

Journal of paediatrics and child health, 2015

The aim of this study was to describe trauma in children secondary to the use of wheeled recreational devices (WRDs). This study retrospectively described trauma secondary to use of WRDs sustained by children 16 years or younger over a period of 12 months at two tertiary paediatric hospitals in Brisbane, Queensland. Data were analysed from the Paediatric Trauma Registry at these two facilities. Data were also retrieved from The Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian to provide information regarding deaths in Queensland from the use of WRDs for the period January 2004 to September 2013. Outcome measures included age, gender, types of injuries, Injury Severity Scores, admission to Intensive Care, and length of hospital stay for all hospital admissions greater than 24 h. A total number of 45 children were admitted with trauma relating to WRDs during the 12 months, representing 5.3% of all trauma admissions of greater than 24 h during this time period. Of these, 34 ...

2016

Introduction: Design of a health/fitness facility is a crucial element in managing risks to its operators, users and others. Improper location of treadmills not compliant with industry recommendations can increase the risk of injuries, adverse events and subsequent legal liability for health/fitness facility operators. The aim of our study was to analyse the location (spacing and placement) of treadmills in health/fitness facilities in Australia. Methods: An on-site observational audit was conducted at regional and metropolitan health/fitness facilities (n = 11) in New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and Queensland. The spacing surrounding the treadmills was measured in centimetres (cm). Placement was assessed by the objects within two metres behind the treadmills. Results: In all health/fitness facilities the distances surrounding the treadmills on the sides, and behind were less than the recommended minimum distances (0.5-1m on the sides, 2m behind) by the manufacturers. In most of the health/ fitness facilities there was other equipment (60%, n = 6) within two metres behind the treadmills. Discussion: The findings suggest that most of the health/fitness facilities audited in this study do not comply with industry minimum recommendations on location of treadmills necessary for safe operation. Conclusion: Health/fitness facility operators in Australia should be trained to increase their awareness about the risks associated with improper location of treadmills to take appropriate preventive measures.

Journal of Fitness Research, 2016

Introduction: Design of a health/fitness facility is a crucial element in managing risks to its operators, users and others. Improper location of treadmills not compliant with industry recommendations can increase the risk of injuries, adverse events and subsequent legal liability for health/fitness facility operators. The aim of our study was to analyse the location (spacing and placement) of treadmills in health/fitness facilities in Australia. Methods: An on-site observational audit was conducted at regional and metropolitan health/fitness facilities (n = 11) in New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and Queensland. The spacing surrounding the treadmills was measured in centimetres (cm). Placement was assessed by the objects within two metres behind the treadmills. Results: In all health/fitness facilities the distances surrounding the treadmills on the sides, and behind were less than the recommended minimum distances (0.5 - 1m on the sides, 2m behind) by the manufacturers. ...