Retrospective analysis of malleolar fractures in an impact environment

Madeley, N. J.; Srinivasan, C. M. S.; Crandall, J. R.; Hurwitz, S.; Funk, J.R.

Affiliations

¹Center for Applied Biomechanics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

²Department of Orthopaedics, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville, VA

³Biodynamic Research Corporation, San Antonio, TX

Abstract

To protect against malleolar fractures in frontal crashes it is important to understand the mechanisms of injury. We have investigated the accuracy of Orthopaedic Specialists in deducing the injury mechanisms of experimentally generated malleolar fractures from radiographs; and the applicability of classic descriptors of injury mechanisms, such as the Lauge-Hansen classification system, in analysing impact induced trauma. Orthopaedic Specialists did not consistently deduce the mechanism of ankle injuries suggesting there may not be a unique fracture pattern for every injury mechanism and that the Lauge-Hansen classification system does not reliably describe ankle fractures created in the impact environment.

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Cited By (4)

Year	Entry
2011	Funk JR. Ankle injury mechanisms: lessons learned from cadaveric studies. Clin Anat. April 2011;24(3):350-361.
2015	Ye X, Funk J, Forbes A, Hurwitz S, Shaw G, Crandall J, Freeth R, Michetti C, Rudd R, Scarboro M. Case series analysis of hindfoot injuries sustained by drivers in frontal motor vehicle crashes. Forensic Sci Int. September 2015;254:18-25.
2011	Shin J. Injury and Response of Human Ankle and Subtalar Joints Under Complex Loading [PhD thesis]. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia; December 2011.
2016	Bailey AM. Injury Assessment for the Human Leg Exposed to Axial Impact Loading [PhD thesis]. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia; September 2016.