Green Country Doctors See Spike In Hoverboard-Related Injuries

Wednesday, December 30th 2015, 7:57 pm

By: News On 6

One of this year’s hottest Christmas gifts is causing a lot of pain and suffering.

Doctors said, since Christmas, they've seen a spike in serious injuries caused by hoverboards. They said they’ve never seen one product cause so much damage.

One doctor with the Orthopedic Center said they've seen 11 patients so far, and that's only one practice in Tulsa.

While it's obvious a hoverboard is fun, doctors said a bad fall could cause long-term injuries.

The videos of riders falling off hoverboards are trending on social media; even Mike Tyson couldn't keep his balance.

Some who fall are suffering serious injuries.

"People are on these boards and they start going pretty fast, so then they lean back, it kicks out and they fall back. They reach their hands out behind them, so they fracture their wrists, their forearms," said Dr. Yogesh Mittal.

Since Christmas Day, Mittal and his colleges at the Orthopedic Center in Tulsa have seen dozens of patients who have been injured while riding a hoverboard - most of them had to have surgery.

"I think the issue is people aren't taking them seriously. They need to realize these are types of things you can injure yourself on," Mittal said.

Tyrhan Harrison-Short just got his hoverboard.

“It's actually pretty terrifying, especially when you are trying to hit a corner. It's really, really horrible," she said.

Harrison-Short said it can just take off on you if you aren't careful.

"I'm pretty good with awareness. If I feel a rock or a bump, I will hop off. I would rather it get hurt than me get hurt," he said.

Hoverboard fires have prompted an investigation by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission; but, for some, it's worth the risk.

When asked what he would do if his hoverboard caught on fire, Harrison-Short said, “I'd probably lose my mind. I'd have to wait on another one, or just take the loss. I don't know.”

But falls are affecting far more people, and doctors urge to take every precaution.

Mittal said, "These orthopedic injuries are serious. Helmets, wrist guards even elbow pads; people need to be appropriately dressed.”

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission isn't sure when they will finish investigating, but will release that information to the public as soon as they can.