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Surface stiffness affects impact force during a fall on the outstretched hand

S N Robinovitch¹, J Chiu

¹Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco General Hospital and the University of California, San Francisco, 94110, USA. snr@itsa.ucsf.edu

Journal of Orthopaedic Research : Official Publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society

|July 22, 1998

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Modifying surface stiffness during falls can reduce initial impact forces, potentially preventing wrist fractures. However, these surfaces offer limited protection against upper-extremity injuries from higher falls.

Area of Science:

Biomechanics
Injury Prevention
Materials Science

Background:

Falls on the outstretched hand are a common cause of traumatic bone fractures.
Understanding biomechanical factors influencing injury risk during falls is limited.
Surface stiffness is a modifiable factor relevant to high-risk environments.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the effect of surface stiffness on upper-extremity impact forces during forward falls.
To determine the biomechanical mechanisms by which surface stiffness influences impact forces.
To assess the potential of compliant surfaces for preventing fall-related injuries.

Main Methods:

Experimental testing of impact forces.
Development and application of linear biomechanical models.

Related Experiment Videos

Simulation of falls onto surfaces of varying stiffness.

Main Results:

Decreased surface stiffness attenuated the initial high-frequency impact force (Fmax1).
Surface stiffness did not significantly affect the subsequent low-frequency oscillation (Fmax2) or shoulder-transmitted force.
Models indicated compliant surfaces reduce wrist impact velocity but not peak shoulder deflection.

Conclusions:

Compliant surfaces may prevent wrist injuries from lower-height falls by attenuating Fmax1.
These surfaces are unlikely to prevent upper-extremity injuries from higher falls as Fmax2 can still exceed injurious levels.
Further research into surface design is needed for comprehensive fall injury prevention.