Injuries of the pelvic girdle in road traffic accidents: a technical and medical analysis

During 1985 and 1993, 7,410 persons were injured in traffic accidents in th e area of Hanover. Of these, 306 (4.1%) sustained a pelvic girdle injury. I n 139 cases (45%), the pelvic girdle injuries were further classified (Penn al and Tile) and a technical reconstruction of the accident situation was p erformed. 52% were type A, 27% type B and 21% type C injuries. Some 47% of the casualties were vehicle occupants, 31% pedestrians, 12% motorcyclists a nd 10% cyclists. In restrained vehicle occupants pelvic girdle injuries occ urred mostly in accidents with a delta-v of more than 30 km/h,whereas in un restrained vehicle occupants, pedestrians and cyclists they also occurred w ith lower delta-v or collision speed. The percentage of type B and C injuri es increased with higher velocities. In addition to further improvements in passive safety, lower collision speed or delta-v is necessary to reduce or prevent pelvic girdle injuries. The reconstruction of pelvic girdle injury mechanism in traffic accidents is possible, when both technical and medica l parameters are considered.