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Experimentally produced ankle fractures in autopsy specimens
J B Stiehl1, D A Skrade, R P Johnson
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226.
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research
|December 1, 1992
Summary
Gender significantly impacts ankle injury patterns and severity. Males experienced more severe injuries, including fibular and ligament damage, compared to females in this biomechanical study.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Forensic Pathology
Background:
- Ankle injuries are common, often resulting from external rotation forces.
- Understanding the biomechanics of ankle injury is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the biomechanical factors influencing lower-leg and ankle injury patterns.
- To determine the effect of gender on injury severity and type.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-six unembalmed lower-leg specimens were subjected to external rotation to failure.
- Torsional stiffness and energy to failure were measured.
- Anatomic dissection and roentgenographs assessed injury patterns.
Main Results:
- Gender was the primary determinant of injury pattern and severity.
- Males predominantly sustained oblique fibular fractures with anterior tibiofibular and deltoid ligament tears (SER2 injury).
- Females more frequently had transverse fibular fractures without syndesmotic or deltoid injury, though 40% exhibited SER2 injuries.
Conclusions:
- Biomechanical testing reveals distinct gender-based differences in ankle injury patterns.
- Ankle injury mechanisms and outcomes vary significantly between males and females, influencing treatment strategies.