Objective To analyze the injury mechanism and distribution of the motor vehicle engine shake shaft caused injuries (MVESSCI) in North Henan province. Methods A follow up was done on 520 patients with the motor vehicle engine shaft injuries treated in our hospital from January 1998 to May 2002. The epidemiological features were analyzed concerning gender, age, injury time and injury sites. Results There were 300 males and 220 females (age range of 9-53 years, mean 31 years) with ratio 1.36 ∶1 of male to female. The MVESSCI were dominated by Colles fractures and distal fractures of ulna and radius, accounting for 73.8% (384/520). The traffic accidents occurred most in May, June, September and October, which accounted for 85.0% (442/520). Conclusions (1) The vehicle engine shake shaft causes the injuries mainly at the distal part of the right forearm, mainly the Colles fracture and the distal fractures of ulna and radius. (2) The injury is mainly due to improper operation in busy farming seasons. (3) The countermeasures to reduce wounds and injuries are to pay much more attention to prevention, strengthen the safety awareness of individuals, improve the structures of motor vehicles and avoid improper manipulation of the vehicles by children.