Almost 1600 injuries were reported by the US consumer product safety commission. This number is far more than previously thought and raising concerns. These injuries are mainly related to the children as they are the target market for these wheeled shoes. The shoe has resulted in an increase in the emergency room visit.
Children with the wheeled shoes can be seen cruising down the sidewalk, through crowded malls and playgrounds.Scott Wolfson, a spokesman for the Consumer Product Safety Commission, said last week that the agency knew of at least 64 roller shoe-related injuries and one death between September 2005 through December 2006. The new higher estimate is based on a more recent and thorough examination by staff statisticians of data reported to the agency, Wolfson told the AP Wednesday.
The update follows new safety advice posted online Tuesday by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, which recommends helmets, wrist protectors and knee and elbow pads for kids who wear wheeled shoes.
The academy's advice stems from recent reports from around the globe about doctors treating cracked skulls; broken wrists, arms and ankles; and dislocated elbows in kids injured wearing the shoes.
67 students were treated for roller shoe injuries at a hospital in Dublin over10 weeks Last summer. This news was reported in June’s Pediatric on Monday.
The widely popular brand of roller shoe is Heelys which is sold in almost 70 countries they’re made by Carrollton, Texas-based Heelys Inc. The shoes feature removable wheels in each heel that pop out when wearers shift their weight to their heels.
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Source-Medindia
BIN/C
