Faculty Collaboration Database

Biomechanics of calcaneal fractures: a model for the motor vehicle. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2001 Jul(388):218-24

Date

07/14/2001

Pubmed ID

11451123

DOI

10.1097/00003086-200107000-00030

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0034957089 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   39 Citations

Abstract

Changes in legislation, availability of passive or active restraint systems, or both, together with increased public awareness for safety and the need for use of restraint, have shifted the spectrum of trauma in motor vehicle crashes from the head and torso to other regions. Lower extremity trauma in motor vehicle crashes continues to be a significant problem. The objective of this study was to investigate the biomechanics of the human foot and ankle complex under impact loading and replicate calcaneal fractures routinely seen in motor vehicle crashes. Twenty-two unembalmed cadaver lower extremity specimens were subjected to dynamic loads using a minisled pendulum device. Input and output forces and results of pathologic analysis were obtained using load cell data, radiographs obtained before and after testing, and gross dissection. The intraarticular fracture patterns produced were similar to those seen clinically and described in the literature. Maximum forces ranged from 3.6 to 11.4 kN for the fracture, and 0.5 to 7.3 kN for the nonfracture groups. Logistic regression analysis revealed a 50% probability of calcaneal fracture at 5.5 kN and a 25% probability at 4.0 kN. These studies will lead to an understanding of the tolerance of the lower extremity in sustaining calcaneal fractures under impact. Implications of the work are in the design of crash test dummies, data acquisition, and modifications in motor vehicle design and safety.

Author List

Seipel RC, Pintar FA, Yoganandan N, Boynton MD

Authors

Frank A. Pintar PhD Professor in the Biomedical Engineering department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Narayan Yoganandan PhD Professor in the Neurosurgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Accidents, Traffic
Adult
Aged
Biomechanical Phenomena
Calcaneus
Female
Fractures, Bone
Humans
Logistic Models
Male
Middle Aged
Radiography