Musculoskeletal trauma in four-wheeled all-terrain vehicles.

A longitudinal study of four-wheeled all-terrain vehicle-related musculoskeletal injuries requiring orthopedic surgery was performed. Avoidable risk factors such as alcohol intake, lack of helmets, inexperience, and excess speed were identified. This study also shows that the quantity, severity, cost, and frequency of preventable accidents while riding continue to be the same as prior to a Consent Decrees issued by the Consumer Products Safety Commission > 10 years ago.