In this study, the injury mechanisms of upper limb fractures are explained. Demands for car developments and dummy test work are briefly shown. The data has been derived from traffic accidents documented by a scientific team at the German Medical University of Hannover Accident Research Unit. 3,200 belted car drivers could be analysed. A total of 179 persons with upper limb fractures including joint lesions were at disposal, documented from1985 to 1995 within a statistical random sample and weighting procedure. It was established that important for the resulting injuries, especially on the shoulder, are impulse direction and position of force transmission. Fractures of the shoulder were exposed to high collision severity. Isolated humerus fracture are incurred when a direct impact to the humerus region occurs mostly in lateral collisions. The study demonstrates two different mechanisms for upper limb fractures: (1) direct impact with longitudinal and rotational load to hand, hand joint and lower arms resulting in a forward movement of the arm and rotational effects with injury risk for joints and lower arms; and (2) lateral collisions with load transmission to lateral parts of the arm resulting in injuries of the whole upper limb. In the study, the main influence factors for upper limb fractures are described and measures for avoidance discussed.
Abstract