Life-altering outcomes after lower extremity injury sustained in motor vehicle crashes.
BACKGROUND
Lower extremity injuries (LEIs) sustained in vehicular crashes result in physical problems and unexpected psychosocial consequences. Their significance is diminished by low Abbreviated Injury Scale scores.


METHODS
Drivers who sustained LEIs were identified as part of the Crash Injury Research and Engineering Network (CIREN) and interviewed during hospitalization, at 6 months, and at 1 year. All were occupants of newer vehicles with seatbelts and airbags.


RESULTS
Sixty-five patients were followed for 1 year. Injuries included mild brain injury (43%), ankle/foot fractures (55%), and bilateral injuries (37%). One year post-injury, 46% reported limitations in walking and 22% with ankle/foot fractures were unable to return to work. Depression (39%), cognitive problems (32%), and post-traumatic stress disorder (18%) were significant in the mild brain injury group.


CONCLUSIONS
Long-lasting physical and psychological burdens may impede recovery and alter the lifestyle of patients with LEI. These issues need to be addressed by trauma center personnel.
Read
Kathleen M
KM
The Charles McC. Mathias, Jr., National Study Center for Trauma and Emergency Medical Systems, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA. kread@som.umaryland.edu
Kufera
Joseph A
JA
Dischinger
Patricia C
PC
Kerns
Timothy J
TJ
Ho
Shiu M
SM
Burgess
Andrew R
AR
Burch
Cynthia A
CA
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D011336:Probability; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires