In the study presented in this poster, 35 cases were identified in which front seat occupants sustained a total of 50 Abbreviated Injury Scale equal to or greater than 2 below knee injuries (58% affecting the right leg and 42% the left leg), as the result of frontal car collisions. Police and local hospital sources in the UK were used to identify cases between August 1997 and June 1998. The group of occupants consisted of 22 males and 13 females with an average age of 33.5 years. The majority of the group were restrained drivers. This study looked specifically at those factors that contribute to the generation of high severity injuries as well as specific injury mechanisms. Pilon, tibial and talar neck fractures made up the majority of severe injuries seen in the study.The factors that link the severe injury groups appear to be pre-impact bracing, pre-impact leg position and the type of knee contact. All these factors contribute to the axial load experienced by the lower leg. It is concluded that factors that contribute to increasing the axial load in the limb are common in those injuries with the highest severity and impairment scores used. Further development of the car footwell can reduce axial load and improve the protection of the lower limb. However, the contribution of the occupant to axial loading of the legs must also be considered.
Abstract