Foot fractures and associated injuries in motorvehicle crashes: do restraints offer protection?

Abstract

Summary The use of restraints reduces injury mortality in motor-vehicle crashes. However, 2 million Americans per year suffer disabling injuries in crashes, costing $167 billion. A retrospective review of 2271 patients involved in motor-vehicle crashes over 5 years was performed. Patients were evaluated for age, sex, injury severity, hospital stay, foot fractures, and other injuries. Eight-four patients sustained foot fractures in crashes. Restrained occupants had lower incidences of head injury, facial fractures, and pelvic injuries. Restraint use, however, did not lower the incidence of foot fractures. In conclusion, restraints do not lower the overall incidence of many non-fatal injuries. Foot fractures and associated injuries are significant causes of disability.