A large-scale accident study of injuries in Phases four, five and six of the UK CCIS accident database showed that upper extremity injuries were increasing in frequency in frontal impacts, particularly when an airbag deployed. However, it was difficult to identify injury mechanisms and costs from the information in the database. Therefore, an in-depth case-by-case study of upper extremity injuries has been undertaken to determine the mechanisms, costs and long-term consequences (disability or impairment) of the injuries, in order to set priorities for injury prevention. The study has been undertaken in three phases:
Four hospitals and three physiotherapy practices were recruited to this study. Evaluations of short and long-term costs and residual impairment resulting from these injuries have been made. The long-term costs were assessed through surgical costs, cost of other treatment and time off work, whilst impairment was assessed qualitatively by range of motion, pain and functional impairments and quantitatively using the American Medical Association Guides.
This study offers a unique insight into the mechanisms causing and long-term consequences arising from specific upper extremity injuries. From this, priorities for injury prevention are presented. A potential limitation of the study is the extent to which the three samples are representative of the UK population.