Sleep-deprived driving causes rare World War-era ‘aviator’s fracture’ in young man

A 21-year-old man narrowly survived a severe early-morning car accident, sustaining a rare injury historically associated with World War I aircraft crashes. Fatigued from a late night, he reportedly dozed off while driving, causing his vehicle to lose control and collide with a tree.

Mohit Kumar suffered extensive trauma to both feet and ankles. Upon arrival at Aakash Healthcare, clinicians were surprised to diagnose a bilateral aviator’s fracture, an uncommon hind-foot injury previously seen in pilots whose feet were forcefully thrust against rudder controls during high-impact crashes.

In this incident, the injury mechanism was strikingly similar: as the vehicle collided with the tree, Kumar instinctively pressed the clutch and brake with intense force, resulting in abrupt ankle hyperextension and catastrophic stress on the talus and calcaneus bones.

The patient sustained bilateral talus fracture dislocation, along with a comminuted calcaneum fracture on the left side. Dr Aashish Chaudhry, Director & Head, Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement, Aakash Healthcare, explains that the talus bone is especially critical due to its poor blood supply, making such injuries time-sensitive and potentially life-altering if not treated promptly.

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Recognising the severity, doctors immediately stabilised both limbs with soft plaster and planned urgent surgery. Dr Aashish Chaudhry further informed, "A complex operation lasting nearly 5–6 hours was performed, during which plates and screws were used to fix the fractured bones. The surgery was carried out on a Sunday, with the medical team working continuously to prevent long-term complications".

The patient is currently has been discharged in a stable condition. He has been advised strict bed rest and non–weight bearing for at least six weeks, with follow-up X-rays planned over the coming months to monitor healing.

Mohit Kumar

Dr Bharat Bahre, Senior Consultant & Associate Director, Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement, Aakash Healthcare, part of the treating team, emphasized that, "Aviator’s fractures were once seen in plane crashes; seeing them today in road accidents tells us how violent the impact of a fatigued-driving crash can be. Sleep deprivation impairs reflexes just like alcohol. One moment of drowsiness can lead to lifelong disability,”.

Dr Aashish Chaudhry further cautioned that early-morning driving, especially after inadequate sleep, carries a high risk of “microsleep” episodes. This case serves as a powerful reminder that lack of sleep can result in devastating accidents, rare injuries, and prolonged recovery, particularly among young drivers.

The surgery was performed by a team led by Dr Aashish Chaudhry along with Dr Bharat Bahre and Dr Abhishek Kumar Sambharia, Consultant, Orthopaedics, Aakash Healthcare.