Life-altering outcomes after lower extremity injury sustained in motor vehicle crashes

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Read, Kathleen M.¹; Kufera, Joseph A.¹; Dischinger, Patricia C.¹; Kerns, Timothy J.¹; Ho, Shiu M.¹; Burgess, Andrew R.¹; Burch, Cynthia A.¹

Life-altering outcomes after lower extremity injury sustained in motor vehicle crashes

J Trauma. October 2004;57(4):815-823

©2004 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.

Affiliations

¹The Charles McC. Mathias, Jr., National Study Center for Trauma and Emergency Medical Systems, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
Abstract and keywords

Background: Lower extremity injuries (LEIs) sustained in vehicular crashes result in physical problems and unexpected psychosocial consequences. Their significance is diminished by low Abbreviated Injury Scale scores.

Methods: Drivers who sustained LEIs were identified as part of the Crash Injury Research and Engineering Network (CIREN) and interviewed during hospitalization, at 6 months, and at 1 year. All were occupants of newer vehicles with seatbelts and airbags.

Results: Sixty-five patients were followed for 1 year. Injuries included mild brain injury (43%), ankle/foot fractures (55%), and bilateral injuries (37%). One year post-injury, 46% reported limitations in walking and 22% with ankle/foot fractures were unable to return to work. Depression (39%), cognitive problems (32%), and post-traumatic stress disorder (18%) were significant in the mild brain injury group.

Conclusions: Long-lasting physical and psychological burdens may impede recovery and alter the lifestyle of patients with LEI. These issues need to be addressed by trauma center personnel.

Keywords: Lower extremity injury, Psychosocial consequences, Motor vehicle crash, Outcomes, Traumatic brain injury
Links

DOI: 10.1097/01.TA.0000136289.15303.44

PubMed: 15514536

WoS: 000225112300026
History

Received: 2003-02-28

Accepted: 2004-05-10

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Cited By (19)

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2017	Chakravarty AB, Martinez AA, Quenneville CE. The injury tolerance of the tibia under off-axis impact loading. Ann Biomed Eng. June 2017;45(6):1534-1542.
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2016	Chakravarty AB. The Effects of Off-Axis Loading on Fracture Risk in the Human Tibia [Master's thesis]. Hamilton, ON: McMaster University; September 2016.
2006	Rupp JD. Biomechanics of Hip Injuries in Frontal Motor-Vehicle Crashes [PhD thesis]. University of Michigan; 2006.
2015	Klein KF. Use of Parametric Finite Element Models to Investigate Effects of Occupant Characteristics on Lower-Extremity Injuries in Frontal Crashes [PhD thesis]. University of Michigan; 2015.
2018	Albert DL. Biomechanical Responses of Human Surrogates Under Various Frontal Loading Conditions With an Emphasis on Thoracic Response and Injury Tolerance [PhD thesis]. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; April 19, 2018.