Citation

Wilson LS, Mizel MS, Michelson JD. Foot Ankle Int. 2001; 22(8): 649-652.

Affiliation

Department Orthopedic Surgery Memorial Hospital, South Bend, IN, USA. lswilson@pol.net

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

11527026

Abstract

BACKGROUND: We studied foot and ankle (F/A) injuries that occurred in motor vehicle accidents treated in a Level 1 trauma center. METHODS: The records of F/A injuries of 2248 consecutive orthopedic patients were reviewed to find foot and ankle injuries. RESULTS: Pilon fractures were common. Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) occupants with F/A injuries had a higher injury Severity Score than those without (17.9 vs. 11.6, p <. 001). MVA F/A injury risk was higher without restraint [relative risk ratio (rrr) 1.68, p <. 0032] than with restraint except for air bagged drivers who were similar to unrestrained drivers (rrr 1.18, p > .05, NS). CONCLUSION: Patients with F/A injuries may have serious associated injuries. Air bags may not protect feet.