Biomechanical and Injury Response of Human Foot and Ankle Under Complex Loading

2013 ◽  
Vol 135 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaeho Shin ◽  
Costin D. Untaroiu

Ankle and subtalar joint injuries of vehicle front seat occupants are frequently recorded during frontal and offset vehicle crashes. A few injury criteria for foot and ankle were proposed in the past; however, they addressed only certain injury mechanisms or impact loadings. The main goal of this study was to investigate numerically the tolerance of foot and ankle under complex loading which may appear during automotive crashes. A previously developed and preliminarily validated foot and leg finite element (FE) model of a 50th percentile male was employed in this study. The model was further validated against postmortem human subjects (PMHS) data in various loading conditions that generates the bony fractures and ligament failures in ankle and subtalar regions observed in traffic accidents. Then, the foot and leg model were subjected to complex loading simulated as combinations of axial, dorsiflexion, and inversion loadings. An injury surface was fitted through the points corresponding to the parameters recorded at the time of failure in the FE simulations. The compelling injury predictions of the injury surface in two crash simulations may recommend its application for interpreting the test data recorded by anthropometric test devices (ATD) during crash tests. It is believed that the methodology presented in this study may be appropriate for the development of injury criteria under complex loadings corresponding to other body regions as well.

1998 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R Crandall ◽  
S. M. Kuppa ◽  
G. S. Klopp ◽  
G. W. Hall ◽  
W. D. Pilkey ◽  
...  

2011 ◽  
Vol 467-469 ◽  
pp. 339-344
Author(s):  
Na Li ◽  
Jian Xin Liu

Head and neck injuries are the most frequent severe injury resulting from traffic accidents. Neck injury mechanisms are difficult to study experimentally due to the variety of impact conditions involved, as well as ethical issues, such as the use of human cadavers and animals. Finite element analysis is a comprehensive computer aided mathematical method through which human head and neck impact tolerance can be investigated. Detailed cervical spine models are necessary to better understand cervical spine response to loading, improve our understanding of injury mechanisms, and specifically for predicting occupant response and injury in auto crash scenarios. The focus of this study was to develop a C1–C2 finite element model with optimized mechanical parameter. The most advanced material data available were then incorporated using appropriate nonlinear constitutive models to provide accurate predictions of response at physiological levels of loading. This optimization method was the first utilized in biomechanics understanding, the C1–C2 model forms the basis for the development of a full cervical spine model. Future studies will focus on tissue-level injury prediction and dynamic response.


Author(s):  
N. A. Zentuti ◽  
J. D. Booker ◽  
R. A. W. Bradford ◽  
C. E. Truman

An approach is outlined for the treatment of stresses in complex three-dimensional components for the purpose of conducting probabilistic creep-fatigue lifetime assessments. For conventional deterministic assessments, the stress state in a plant component is found using thermal and mechanical (elastic) finite element (FE) models. Key inputs are typically steam temperatures and pressures, with the three principal stress components (PSCs) at the assessment location(s) being the outputs. This paper presents an approach which was developed based on application experience with a tube-plate ligament (TPL) component, for which historical data was available. Though both transient as well as steady-state conditions can have large contributions towards the creep-fatigue damage, this work is mainly concerned with the latter. In a probabilistic assessment, the aim of this approach is to replace time intensive FE runs with a predictive model to approximate stresses at various assessment locations. This is achieved by firstly modelling a wide range of typical loading conditions using FE models to obtain the desire stresses. Based on the results from these FE runs, a probability map is produced and input(s)-output(s) functions are fitted (either using a Response Surface Method or Linear Regression). These models are thereafter used to predict stresses as functions of the input parameter(s) directly. This mitigates running an FE model for every probabilistic trial (of which there typically may be more than 104), an approach which would be computationally prohibitive.


2008 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 398-403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Maria Calil ◽  
Cibele Andrucioli de Mattos Pimenta

OBJECTIVE: Identifying the frequency and gravity of injuries in patients who suffered accidents in traffic and the analgesic drugs utilized. METHODS: Retrospective study, with a sample of 200 medical records of patients admitted to the emergency services of a reference hospital for trauma care. The gravity of the injuries was characterized by anatomic gravity rates and the analgesic therapy was based on the World Health Organization's Analgesic Ladder. RESULTS: The main findings pointed to injuries in limbs, head, face and outer surface as the most frequent, and, in 85% of the cases, gravity was equal or lower than 3; As for analgesia, it was verified that 46;6% of the patients received dipyrone and paracetamol. Among the opioids, meperidine was used in 10.4% of the cases. CONCLUSION: The gravity of most injuries was equal or lower to 3, indicating injuries of light, moderate and serious gravity, located especially in four body regions; regarding analgesia, dipyrone was shown to be the most commonly-used drug and a low use of opioids was verified.


2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 54-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ganesan Balasankar ◽  
Luximon Ameersing

The human foot is a complex structure, which includes bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, soft tissues, nerves and veins. It supports the weight of the whole body and helps one to walk, run, and jump. Ankle and foot biomechanical functions that are interrupted by various pathological deformities lead to pain or other deformities, and result in difficulties during mobility. Foot problems are very common in children and adults. In this article, attempts are made to explore the clinical aspects of the most common foot and ankle deformities and their management by children and adults. Foot deformities may be congenital or acquired, and may involve arthritis conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. In children, congenital clubfoot, cavus, and flat feet are the most common disorders and can be treated by non-operative means or surgical management. Hallux valgus and rigidus, lesser toe deformities, and arthritis are mostly present with or without pain in the adult population.


Author(s):  
Phong Phan ◽  
Anh Vo ◽  
Amirhamed Bakhtiarydavijani ◽  
Reuben Burch ◽  
Brian K. Smith ◽  
...  

Abstract Computational approaches, especially Finite Element Analysis (FEA), have been rapidly growing in both academia and industry during the last few decades. FEA serves as a powerful and efficient approach for simulating real-life experiments, including industrial product development, machine design, and biomedical research, particularly in biomechanics and biomaterials. Accordingly, FEA has been a "go-to" high biofidelic software tool to simulate and quantify the biomechanics of the foot-ankle complex, as well as to predict the risk of foot and ankle injuries, which are one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries among physically active individuals. This paper provides a review of the in silico FEA of the foot-ankle complex. First, a brief history of computational modeling methods and Finite Element (FE) simulations for foot-ankle models is introduced. Second, a general approach to build a FE foot and ankle model is presented, including a detailed procedure to accurately construct, calibrate, verify, and validate a FE model in its appropriate simulation environment. Third, current applications, as well as future improvements of the foot and ankle FE models, especially in the biomedical field, are discussed. Lastly, a conclusion is made on the efficiency and development of FEA as a computational approach in investigating the biomechanics of the foot-ankle complex. Overall, this review integrates insightful information for biomedical engineers, medical professionals, and researchers to conduct more accurate research on the foot-ankle FE models in the future.


1969 ◽  
Vol 115 (518) ◽  
pp. 99-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald Milner

Psychotropic agents are widely prescribed. The effects of a drug represent a complex interaction between the chemical agent, the individual patient and the environment in which the administration of the drug takes place. Many patients use alcohol (a C.N.S. depressant) and control complex machinery. It is necessary to know how a drug interacts with alcohol and especially how it affects driving skills. Murray (1960), in a 90 day study of 68 drivers on chlordiazepoxide, found that traffic accidents were ten times more frequent than the predicted control rate. Zirkleet al. (1959) established that chlorpromazine had “a supplementary and possible potentiating effect” on the impairment of co-ordination and judgement produced by alcohol in 24 human subjects.


2019 ◽  
Vol 109 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfred Gatt ◽  
Pierre Schembri-Wismayer ◽  
Nachiappan Chockalingam ◽  
Cynthia Formosa

Background: In vitro biomechanical testing of the human foot often involves the use of fresh frozen cadaveric specimens to investigate interventions that would be detrimental to human subjects. The Thiel method is an alternative embalming technique that maintains soft-tissue consistency similar to that of living tissue. However, its suitability for biomechanical testing is unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine whether Thiel-embalmed foot specimens exhibit kinematic and kinetic biomechanical properties similar to those of fresh frozen specimens. Methods: An observational study design was conducted at a university biomechanics laboratory. Three cadavers had both limbs amputated, with one being fresh frozen and the other preserved by Thiel's embalming. Each foot was tested while undergoing plantarflexion and dorsiflexion in three states: unloaded and under loads of 10 and 20 kg. Their segment kinematics and foot pressure mapping were assessed simultaneously. Results: No statistically significant differences were detected between fresh frozen and Thiel-embalmed sample pairs regarding kinematics and kinetics. Conclusions: These findings highlight similar kinematic and kinetic properties between fresh frozen and Thiel-embalmed foot specimens, thus possibly enabling these specimens to be interchanged due to the latter specimens' advantage of delayed decomposition. This can open innovative opportunities for the use of these specimens in applications related to the investigation of dynamic foot function in research and education.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 2473011419S0034
Author(s):  
Kevin Pirruccio ◽  
Daniel C. Farber

Category: Ankle, Trauma, Epidemiology Introduction/Purpose: The most frequent cause of traumatic foot and ankle fractures is a fall to the ground. Alcohol consumption, especially in excess, has the potential to impart a significant fall risk on patients by reducing postural control resulting in imbalance. However, the relationship between the consumption of alcohol and the risk of traumatic foot and ankle fracture is poorly characterized. The purpose of this study was to report national estimates, injury mechanisms, and demographic characteristics of patients presenting to U.S. emergency departments (EDs) with traumatic foot and ankle fractures associated with alcohol consumption. Methods: This cross-sectional, retrospective epidemiological study analyzes case narratives in the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database to examine national estimates of traumatic foot and ankle fractures associated with alcohol consumption presenting to U.S. emergency departments between 2000 and 2017, sampling in two-year intervals. Data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on the “Value for Total U.S. Adult Alcohol Consumption in Liters/Capita” was used in a simple regression model to demonstrate how increased alcohol consumption in the United States has predicted changes in the national number of alcohol-associated foot and ankle fractures over time. Results: Nationally, alcohol-associated foot and ankle fractures increased significantly between the 2000-2001 (N=2,878; C.I. 1,869-3,887) and 2016-2017 (N=8,778; C.I. 6,751-10,806) periods (p<0.001). Simple regression (R2 = 0.87; p<0.001) demonstrated that in the U.S., a one-tenth increase in the total liters of alcohol consumed per capita predicted an additional 606 alcohol-associated foot and ankle fractures presenting to U.S. EDs. About two-thirds of patients suffered ankle fractures (65.6%; C.I. 61.1%-70.1%). Fractures were commonly sustained by male patients (58.4%; C.I. 53.9%-62.9%) at home (46.5%; C.I. 40.9%- 52.2%); roughly one-third of patients required admission to the hospital (29.7%; C.I. 24.5%-34.9%). The most common injury mechanisms for alcohol-associated foot and ankle fractures were falls to the ground from standing height (33.0%; C.I. 28.8%- 37.2%), and falls down stairs or steps (31.0%; C.I. 26.1%-35.9%). Conclusion: Falls to the ground mechanistically link alcohol consumption to traumatic fractures of the foot and ankle. These new findings highlight how the negative societal impacts of alcohol – and potentially other substances – may be overlooked. As a result, this information should serve as an impetus to direct national attention towards awareness and preventative measures. Furthermore, our findings may help clinicians identify, educate, and counsel patients with certain demographic risk factors for alcohol-associated foot and ankle fractures.


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