Although lower extremity injuries occur frequently, historically they have been viewed as a relatively low priority due to their non-lethal nature. In pedestrians and cyclists lower limb injuries are the most frequently injured body part. The main significance of lower limb injuries is their likelihood to lead to long-term disability and impairment, compromising locomotion and the ability to perform routine activities. The frequent knock-on effect of degenerative arthritis leads to staggering socioeconomic consequences. A table illustrates the distribution of lower limb injury frequency and disability. Countermeasures such as seat belts do not significantly influence lower limb injuries, whereas vehicle crash characteristics do make a difference. Areas for further knowledge include research into weight bearing joints; musculature; and region-specific priorities - hip, leg, ankle and knee, ankle.
Samenvatting