Watch CBS News

Hoverboards Not All Fun And Games This Holiday Season

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - One of this year's most popular Christmas gifts -- the hoverboard -- has been keeping doctors busy lately.

Dr. Michael Rivlin specializes in upper extremity trauma at Rothman Institute.

"Hand injuries, finger fracture," he says. "I have seen multiple wrist fractures. Multiple elbow fractures and my colleagues have reported shoulder fractures that required major surgery and my lower extremity colleagues have told me multiple ankle fractures."

And those injuries have one thing in common....they're all hoverboard-related. They travel fast, but will come to an abrupt halt if it hits an obstruction Rivlin says:

"The hoverboard will stop but you will keep going because there is so much energy in the board to provide that torque, that rotation that will throw you off the board."

Rivlin says he's had seven patients with fractures in a day and a half, and he's just one of 14 hand surgeons at Rothman. He urges riders to start slow and be sure to wear a helmet and other protective gear.

The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs announced Thursday that hoverboards are being investigated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for possible fire hazards.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.