Biomechanics of calcaneus impacted by talus: a dynamic finite element analysis

This paper aimed to investigate the biomechanical changes during the talus impact with the calcaneus at varying velocities. Various three-dimensional reconstruction software was utilized to construct a finite element model that consisted of the talus, calcaneus, and ligaments. The explicit dynamics method was used to explore the process of the talus impacting on the calcaneus. The velocity of impact was altered from 5 m/s to 10 m/s with a 1 m/s interval. Stress readings were collected from the posterior, intermediate, and anterior subtalar articular (PSA, ISA, ASA), calcaneocubic articular (CA), Gissane Angle (GA), calcaneal base (BC), medial wall (MW), and lateral wall (LW) of the calcaneus. The changes in the amount and distribution of stress in the different regions of the calcaneus that varied with velocity were analysed. The model was validated through comparison with findings from the existing literature. During the process of impact between the talus and calcaneus, the stress in the PSA reached its peak first. Notably, stress was concentrated mainly in the PSA, ASA, MW, and LW of the calcaneus. At varying impact velocities of the talus, the mean maximum stress of the PSA, LW, CA, BA, and MW exhibited statistically significant differences (P values were 0.024, 0.004, <0.001, <0.001, and 0.001, respectively). However, the mean maximum stress of the ISA, ASA, and GA was not statistically significant (P values were 0.289, 0.213, and 0.087, respectively). In comparison with the velocity at 5 m/s, the mean maximum stress increases in each region of the calcaneus at a velocity of 10 m/s were as follows: PSA 73.81%, ISA 7.11%, ASA 63.57%, GA 89.10%, LW 140.16%, CA 140.58%, BC 137.67%, MW 135.99%. The regions of stress concentration were altered, and the magnitude and sequence of peak stress in the calcaneus also varied according to the velocity of the talus during impact. In conclusion, the velocity of the talus during impact had a significant influence on the magnitude and distribution of stress within the calcaneus, which was a crucial factor in the development of calcaneal fractures. It was possible that the magnitude and sequence of stress peaks played a vital role in determining the emergence of fracture patterns.