Bony injuries of the knee, thigh and hip commonly occur among front seat occupants in motor vehicle accidents because of dashboard impacts. Such injuries are a common cause of prolonged hospitalization, time away from work and disability. Permanent disability following injuries of the knee and hip joints is a frequent occurrence because of traumatic arthritis.

The disability caused by such injuries was determined for patients with bony injuries of the knee, thigh and hip who were front seat occupants of motor vehicles and who were admitted to the two largest hospitals in Rochester, New York in 1978. Using hospital and treating physician records, the diagnoses, length of hospital stay, and time away from work were determined and estimates of permanent disability were made. Each patient's injuries were scaled using the AIS and ISS. Police Accident Reports provided information concerning vehicle characteristics and accident configuration.

61 patients, ages 4 to 69 years, were in the sample. 36 were drivers and 25 passengers. The average ISS for drivers was 17.4 and for passengers 18.8. Fractures of the patella and femur and hip dislocations were associated with frontal impacts and fractured pelves with side impacts. Acetabular fractures required the longest hospital stay (average 46 days) and resulted in the most permanent partial disability (63%). Hip fracture-dislocations required the longest convalescence (time away from work 10.75 months).