title: Foot and ankle injuries in motor vehicle accidents.
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).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with F/A injuries may have serious associated injuries. Air bags may not protect feet.
authors.affiliation: Department Orthopedic Surgery Memorial Hospital, South Bend, IN, USA. lswilson@pol.net
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Mizel
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Michelson
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D017278:Air Bags; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018409:Foot Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000453:epidemiology; D012622:Seat Belts; D012720:Severity of Illness Index