Citation

Miltner E, Salwender HJ. J. Traffic Med. 1996; 24(3-4): 57-61.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, International Association for Accident and Traffic Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Objective: This paper shall answer the question, if there is an interrelation between exterior technical accident variables and the occurrence of fractures of the pelvis or the lower extremities with restraint car drivers. Methods: The cases were retrospectively taken from the files of the Heidelberg police road accident division for the years 1987 to 1990 and from autopsy protocols for the years 1983 to 1990 at the Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Heidelberg. Results: Fractures of the lower extremities were observed at an EES greater than 35 km/h, pelvic fractures at an EES greater than 59 km/h. The portion of fractures of the lower extremities was 26% in the EES range from 40 to 59 km/h and 60% in the range from 60 to 80 km/h. With one exception, patella fractures were only localised on the right side, fibula shaft fractures only on the left side. Conclusions: The results of our study proved that the probability of leg fractures increases with increasing EES, but additionally the individual deformation of the footwell and the individual anthropometry of the occupant has to be considered.