Citation

Dischinger PC, Read KM, Kufera JA, Kerns TJ, Burch CA, Jawed N, Ho SM, Burgess AR. Annu. Proc. Assoc. Adv. Automot. Med. 2004; 48: 339-353.

Affiliation

National Study Center for Trauma and EMS, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

15319134

PMCID

PMC3217424

Abstract

Lower extremity injuries resulting from motor vehicle crashes are common and have become relatively more important as more drivers with newer occupant restraints survive high-energy crashes. CIREN data provide a greater level of clinical detail based on coding guidelines from the Orthopedic Trauma Association. These detailed data, in conjunction with long-term follow-up data obtained from patient interviews, reveal that the most costly and disabling injuries are those involving articular (joint) surfaces, especially those of the ankle/foot. Patients with such injuries exhibit residual physical and psychosocial problems, even at one year post-trauma.