According to members of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, they’re seeing a significant increase in the number of auto accident victims who have traumatic foot and ankle injuries. And they’re saying that air bags are the culprit.

In 1998, the federal government started requiring dual front air bags in passenger cars. According to information released by the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, since then, several research studies have documented a corresponding increase in lower extremity injuries. According to a federal report, drivers in air-bag equipped cars suffer more than 17,600 lower extremity injuries every year. One-third of those are to the foot and ankle.

While foot and ankle trauma is not life threatening, victims may face multiple surgeries, limited mobility and months or years of rehabilitation and physical therapy.

Foot and ankle surgeons meeting in Orlando this week for the ACFAS Annual Scientific Conference are discussing less-invasive techniques for treating traumatic injuries received in motor vehicle crashes and other incidents. A common technique is the use of internal or external fixation devices, which immobilize the foot and ankle, just like a cast. Internal fixation devices can involve a series of rods, screws and plates attached to bones, stabilizing them and permitting proper healing. External fixation devices appear as scaffolding on a building, with outside rods through the skin attached to bone underneath.

For more information on foot and ankle surgeons and the conditions they treat, visit the ACFAS consumer Web site FootPhysicians.com.

The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) is a professional society of more than 6,000 foot and ankle surgeons. Founded in 1942, the College’s mission is to promote research and provide continuing education for the foot and ankle surgical specialty, and to educate the general public on foot health and conditions of the foot and ankle through its consumer website, http://www.footphysicians.com/.

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