Effect of Variable Lower Extremity Immobilization Devices on Emergency Brake Response Driving Outcomes.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Automobile Driving Safety
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Lower extremity pathology and surgical interventions can impact functional abilities.
• Assessing the effects of footwear on driving performance is crucial for patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of different footwear conditions on automobile driving function.
• To compare brake response times and accuracy in regular shoes, surgical shoes, and walking boots.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 25 participants without active lower extremity pathology.
• Utilized a computerized driving simulator to assess emergency brake response time, delayed responses, and inaccurate responses.
• Evaluated three footwear conditions: regular shoe gear, surgical shoe, and walking boot.

Main Results:

• Both surgical shoes and walking boots resulted in significantly slower mean brake response times compared to regular shoes.
• Surgical shoes and walking boots led to a higher frequency of abnormally delayed brake responses.
• Walking boots, but not surgical shoes, showed a significantly higher frequency of inaccurate brake responses.

Conclusions:

• Prescribed footwear, particularly walking boots and surgical shoes, can negatively affect critical driving responses.
• Physicians should consider these findings when advising patients with lower extremity immobilization devices on driving safety.
• Further research may explore specific device designs to mitigate driving performance deficits.