Riding and racing dirt bikes is one of those activities and pastimes where the chances are a little against you. A collision or accident will undoubtedly occur at some time.
A collision might be around the next curve, whether you choose to jump on a motocross track or ride trails.
Anyone who rides often will probably get an injury at some point. We hope it’s just a minor issue that one aspirin will take care of. But there’s always a chance you can get injured and go out of the sport for a while.
The Most Common Dirt Bike Injuries
This information isn’t to frighten you off riding, whether you’re a novice or an experienced rider.
Instead, we believe that being aware of the most frequent injuries suffered by MX riders would enable you to prepare your equipment correctly.
The following is a list of the most common injuries that riders have had in the past:
1. Sprained wrist and ankle
Ankle or wrist sprains result from ligaments that have been overstretched or torn. Sprains may vary in severity from first-degree to third-degree. First-degree injuries are mild to moderately painful and swollen.
Third-degree sprains, on the other hand, produce more significant amounts of discomfort, bruising, and swelling that compromise the stability of the injured region. With a third-degree sprain, you may need to take some time off your bike.
As a preventative measure, utilize high-quality MX boots to avoid ankle twisting. Use just the proper dirt bike boots too. An ankle brace could be helpful if you already have a bad ankle.
A wrist brace or splint may lessen your chance of being hurt and provide support if you already have a sprain.
2. Tears in the anterior cruciate ligament
This major ligament, also known as the ACL, runs deep into the knee joint and joins the thigh bone to the shin bone.
Its purpose is to avoid excessive rotation at the knee joint and forward shin movement concerning the thigh.
Your knees might collapse if this rips, making them unstable. The most often damaged ligament section is the ACL, which obtains high grades. It is often hurt while landing from a jump on a knee that is bent, overextended, or in an unnatural posture.
Following an ACL tear and appropriate rehabilitation, reconstructive surgery is necessary if the knee remains unstable. Typically, a physiotherapist-led 6-month rehabilitation program comes next.
The best way to prevent or lessen the impact on your knee in the case of a collision is to use a knee brace. You’ll also reduce the danger by wearing boots.
3. Collarbone fracture
Breaks to the collarbone rank highly among the injuries suffered in dirt bike collisions. One of the most commonly fractured bones is this one.
They often break when you fall on your shoulders, are struck directly in the collarbone, or strike the ground with your body. The collision may cause a fractured collarbone, particularly if your arm is extended or at an unnatural angle.
Most injuries recover with just a sling in 4–8 weeks, while surgery could be necessary for more challenging situations.
Prevention is key to minimizing the strain on your shoulders and collarbone. Body armor and neck braces may help. But knowing how to fall may also be helpful. Use the tried-and-true tuck and roll method.
4. Ankle or wrist fracture
Throwing your arms out to rescue yourself when you crash is a typical cause of broken wrists. Because of the intricate anatomy of the wrist, even slight injuries are harrowing.
The break may be exceedingly complicated if the bone fractures into multiple fragments.
A direct impact may result in a fractured ankle, whether with another rider or your bike. In rare instances, it could result from a clumsy landing after a jump or get-off.
Surgical intervention may be necessary to fix the bones after fractures. However, whether or not they need surgery, the broken bones will remain in a cast for 6 to 8 weeks.
A broken wrist or ankle is difficult to avoid. A wrist brace or support may assist in protecting your wrists, and wearing excellent MX boots is helpful for your ankles. But riding with them may be unpleasant.
5. Head trauma
The most catastrophic injuries are those to the head and back. In the worst instance, they may result in extended periods spent without riding.
If you ride motocross for a long enough time, you’ll eventually take a blow to the head. How big of a hit was it, exactly? There are four classifications for concussions: the traditional mild impact, grades 1, 2, and 3.
You may need to rest for days or even months, depending on how extensive the head injury was. No matter how little, anybody with concussion symptoms should see a doctor for longer than a week.
As a precaution, use the most fantastic motocross helmet you can buy. That’s all there is to it!
Tips on how to make riding safer.
You may ride your dirt bike safely by using the advice provided below:
1. Safety Equipment
Your riding gear should, of course, be protective. Wearing high-quality, precisely fitted clothing is essential.
It’s time to switch if you’ve ever been in a collision when your helmet was severely damaged by impact. There are no questions.
2. Riding Method
It would be best if you continuously worked to improve. Enhance your riding style by attempting to concentrate on one area every time you ride. That totals out.
A practical riding course would also be worth trying. You will become a better rider and develop better judgment about when to risk it slightly and when not to, with the help of a skilled coach.
3. Never ride alone; always ride with friends.
Children should never be left alone when riding, and no one should treat dirt bikes like toys. Having the proper equipment and bike size is crucial for kids.
How many dirt bike accidents occur per year?
In the last nine years, 1,870 riders have been injured in bike crashes. 50.9% of the 450 fractures reported involved the upper extremities, 38% the lower, and the remaining fractures included the spine, chest, and head.
The research subject was an A-level I trauma center’s care for motocross injuries between 2012 and 2021. Only athletes under 18 with injuries while working out or racing on a motocross track were included in the research.
Thirty-five athletes were examined, and over 50% of them had, between 2007 and 2017, 249 distinct motocross patients with precise registrations at a local level 1 trauma facility. Twenty patients needed ICU admission, and 141 needed hospital admission.
According to another study, on-road motorcycle riders are more likely than off-road motorcycle riders to suffer severe stomach injuries, blunt chest trauma, skin damage, and even death.
How common are dirt bike accidents?
Over four years, from 2001 to 2004, 500,000 people were involved in dirt bike accidents, claims a Washington-based attorney.
Among them, 75% required hospitalization. In 2003, children and teenagers died in 245 accidents involving dirt motorcycles.
Yes, it was some years ago, but since then, the popularity of dirt motorcycles has only increased.
Although it may be challenging to monitor the growth in the number of dirt bike riders or even to estimate the entire number of dirt bike riders in the U.S., one thing is sure: that number is improving.
Each year, there is an increase in demand for motorcycles of all types. Various quotations are derived from the notion. Additionally, more motorcycle-related accidents, property loss, injuries, and deaths have increased as sales and registrations have increased. Naturally, such things are becoming better.
Motorcycles are increasingly prevalent. These statistics seldom include the fact that more individuals avoid accidents.
If it weren’t the case, motorcycle sales would grow at a pace equal to the increase in accident data. However, they aren’t.
Conclusion
Is there anything more enjoyable than getting on a dirt bike and doing some unbelievable stuffs.?
It’s one of the most amicable feelings for those in the know. If you don’t know what you’re doing, it’s also hazardous, something that none of us want to acknowledge even when it’s true.
Any time you ride a dirt bike, you must take precautions to keep yourself safe. When thinking about dirt bike safety, there are a few things you may not have considered besides donning the appropriate protective gear.
Additionally, you could not have understood the fundamental causes of why dirt motorcycles are risky in the first place. Before riding on street or public lands, you may be required to follow local rules. No matter which place do you belong to you are on two wheels, it is still a good idea to think about using our dirt bike safety advice.
