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- Talk
- 22/09/2022
- UK
Investigating The Relationship Between Clavicle Fractures And Changes To Cycling Habits In A Major Trauma Centre In London During The Covid-19 Pandemic
Description
This transcript features Rebecca Bene, a fourth-year medical student at George's University of London, discussing her research on clavicle fractures in relation to cycling habits before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. She begins by explaining that the clavicle is the most frequently fractured bone, with the causes of fractures varying by age group. Notably, she highlights how the COVID-19 pandemic altered physical activity patterns, particularly during the first UK lockdown in April 2020, leading to a significant increase in cycling as a leisure and transportation activity.
Bene outlines her study, which involved a retrospective observational analysis of clavicle x-rays from a major trauma center in London, comparing data from April to June of 2020, 2021, and 2022 with a pre-pandemic baseline from 2019. The research found that although the total number of clavicle fractures decreased during the lockdown (likely due to reduced indoor activities and hospital visits), bike-related clavicle fractures more than doubled compared to previous years, and this trend remained high in subsequent years.
The findings suggest a sustained increase in bike-related injuries, prompting considerations for public health and safety measures regarding cycling. Bene concludes by emphasizing the need for further studies in other centers to assess the broader impact of cycling-related injuries on productivity and healthcare costs.