Clinical Value of the Ottawa Ankle Rules for Diagnosis of Fractures in Acute Ankle Injuries

Background

The Ottawa ankle rules (OAR) are clinical decision guidelines used to identify whether patients with ankle injuries need to undergo radiography. The OAR have been proven that their application reduces unnecessary radiography. They have nearly perfect sensitivity for identifying clinically significant ankle fractures.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to assess the applicability of the OAR in China, to examine their accuracy for the diagnosis of fractures in patients with acute ankle sprains, and to assess their clinical utility for the detection of occult fractures.

Methods

In this prospective study, patients with acute ankle injuries were enrolled during a 6-month period. The eligible patients were examined by emergency orthopedic specialists using the OAR, and then underwent ankle radiography. The results of examination using the OAR were compared with the radiographic results to assess the accuracy of the OAR for ankle fractures. Patients with OAR results highly suggestive of fracture, but no evidence of a fracture on radiographs, were advised to undergo 3-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT).

Results

183 patients with ankle injuries were enrolled in the study and 63 of these injuries involved fractures. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the OAR for detection of fractures of the ankle were 96.8%, 45.8%, 48.4% and 96.5%, respectively. Our results suggest that clinical application of the OAR could decrease unnecessary radiographs by 31.1%. Of the 21 patients with positive OAR results and negative radiographic findings who underwent 3D-CT examination, five had occult fractures of the lateral malleolus.

Conclusions

The OAR are applicable in the Chinese population, and have high sensitivity and modest specificity for the diagnosis of fractures associated with acute ankle injury. They may detect some occult fractures of the malleoli that are not visible on radiographs.     

Guidelines for selective radiological assessment of inversion ankle injuries.

A prospective study was performed to establish definitive guidelines for selective use of radiography in the assessment of inversion ankle injuries. Five hundred patients were included, representing 3.2% of the workload of the department during the study period. There were 379 soft tissue injuries, 56 malleolar fractures, 40 avulsion fractures, 21 fractures at the base of the fifth metatarsal, and four calcaneal fractures. Multiple logistic regression identified distal fibular tenderness, age, and ability to bear weight as the most important clinical variables in predicting important fractures (p less than 0.001). A policy of requesting x ray examination of only those patients with distal fibular tenderness or inability to bear weight or aged over 60, with a further proviso that no foot radiographs should be obtained, would produce a 60% reduction in ankle radiography in this centre without detriment to patient care.     

The axial injury tolerance of the human foot/ankle complex and the effect of Achilles tension

Axial loading of the foot/ankle complex is an important injury mechanism in vehicular trauma that is responsible for severe injuries such as calcaneal and tibial pilon fractures. Axial loading may be applied to the leg externally, by the toepan and/or pedals, as well as internally, by active muscle tension applied through the Achilles tendon during pre-impact bracing. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of Achilles tension on fracture mode and to empirically model the axial loading tolerance of the foot/ankle complex. Blunt axial impact tests were performed on forty-three (43) isolated lower extremities with and without experimentally simulated Achilles tension. The primary fracture mode was calcaneal fracture in both groups. However, fracture initiated at the distal tibia more frequently with the addition of Achilles tension (p < 0.05). Acoustic sensors mounted to the bone demonstrated that fracture initiated at the time of peak local axial force. A survival analysis was performed on the injury data set using a Weibull regression model with specimen age, gender, body mass, and peak Achilles tension as predictor variables (R2 = 0.90). A closed-form survivor function was developed to predict the risk of fracture to the foot/ankle complex in terms of axial tibial force. The axial tibial force associated with a 50% risk of injury ranged from 3.7 kN for a 65 year-old 5th percentile female to 8.3 kN for a 45 year-old 50th percentile male, assuming no Achilles tension. The survivor function presented here may be used to estimate the risk of foot/ankle fracture that a blunt axial impact would pose to a human based on the peak tibial axial force measured by an anthropomorphic test device.     

Searching for the “sweet spot”: the foot rotation and parallel engagement of ankle ligaments in maximizing injury tolerance

Ligament sprains, defined as tearing of bands of fibrous tissues within ligaments, account for a majority of injuries to the foot and ankle complex in field-based sports. External rotation of the foot is considered the primary injury mechanism of syndesmotic ankle sprains with concomitant flexion and inversion/eversion associated with particular patterns of ligament trauma. However, the influence of the magnitude and direction of loading vectors to the ankle on the in situ stress state of the ligaments has not been quantified in the literature. The objective of the present study was to search for the maximum injury tolerance of a human foot with an acceptable subfailure distribution of individual ligaments. We used a previously developed and comprehensively validated foot and ankle model to reproduce a range of combined foot rotation experienced during high-risk sports activities. Biomechanical computational investigation was performed on initial foot rotation from \(20{^{\circ }}\) of plantar flexion to \(15{^{\circ }}\) of dorsiflexion, and from \(15{^{\circ }}\) of inversion to \(15{^{\circ }}\) of eversion prior to external rotation. Change in initial foot rotation shifted injury initiation among different ligaments and resulted in a wide range of injury tolerances at the structural level (e.g., 36–125 Nm of rotational moment). The observed trend was in agreement with a parallel experimental study that initial plantar flexion decreased the incidence of syndesmotic injury compared to a neutral foot. A mechanism of distributing even loads across ligaments subjected to combined foot rotations was identified. This mechanism is potential to obtain the maximum load-bearing capability of a foot and ankle while minimizing the injury severity of ligaments. Such improved understanding of ligament injuries in athletes is necessary to facilitate injury management by clinicians and countermeasure development by biomechanists.     

俯卧位后外侧入路联合内侧切口治疗三踝骨折35 例的临床疗效评价

目的:探讨在俯卧体位下采用后外侧入路联合内侧切口治疗三踝骨折方法的临床疗效及安全性。方法:选择2014年1月~2015年1月在我院治疗并由同一治疗组医生采用俯卧体位下治疗的三踝骨折患者35例,治疗外踝骨折时将钢板置于腓骨后侧或外侧,使用钢板或螺钉对后踝骨折进行固定,2枚拉力螺钉固定内踝。观察术后切口及骨折愈合、踝关节功能恢复情况。术后定期随访,采用AOFAS踝-后足评分标准对踝关节功能进行评价。结果:手术时长50~142 min,平均90 min,1例患者内侧切口出现局部红肿,抬高患肢及定期换药后局部红肿好转,未出现明显切口感染征象。2例病人术后出现足背部麻木,分别在术后6周、9周时消失。随访时间6~18月,平均随访15个月。术后3月X线显示所有病人骨折线模糊,骨痂生长良好,按美国足踝外科协会踝-后足评分系统评分:优28例,良5例,可2例,优良率94.29%。结论:在俯卧体位下采用后外侧切口治疗三踝骨折可一次性复位、固定后踝和外踝骨折,联合内侧切口可在一个体位下完成三踝骨折的手术,缩短手术时间,对软组织破坏少,骨折可获得解剖复位,术后踝关节功能恢复佳,可降低因反复翻身而污染术野的概率。     

关节镜清理术治疗前踝撞击征的疗效

目的:探讨踝关节镜对前踝撞击征的诊疗价值。方法:采用关节镜清理术治疗前踝撞击综合征33例,其中男23例,女10例。年龄平均39岁(18～72岁)。左踝16例,右踝17例。病史6个月至20年,有运动损伤史13例,踝关节扭伤病史17例,踝关节骨折史3例。临床表现为踝关节肿胀、疼痛和下蹲活动受限。X线片显示胫骨前唇和距骨骨质增生,MRI显示距骨软骨损伤,踝关节腔内积液。采用局麻关节镜下骨赘磨削,滑膜切除,踝关节清理术。结果:随访33例,平均时间35个月(4个月-6年)。术后踝关节背伸活动功能正常,按照McGuire踝关节评分系统对术前、术后踝关节功能进行评估,术前平均55分,术后平均80分,术后提高了25分。优13例,良15例,可3例,差2例,优良率84.8%。结论:局麻下踝关节镜骨赘切除、滑膜刨削和软骨修整可有效解除踝关节撞击症状,手术创伤小、功能恢复快,效果满意。     

Callus Formation and Mineralization after Fracture with Different Fixation Techniques: Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis versus Open Reduction Internal Fixation

Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis(MIPO) has been considered as an alternative for fracture treatment. Previous study has demonstrated that MIPO technique has the advantage of less soft tissue injury compared with open reduction internal fixation (ORIF). However, the comparison of callus formation and mineralization between two plate osteosynthesis methods remains unknown. In this experiment, ulna fracture model was established in 42 beagle dogs. The fractures underwent reduction and internal fixation with MIPO or ORIF. Sequential fluorescent labeling and radiographs were applied to determine new callus formation and mineralization in two groups after operation. At 4, 8 and 12 weeks postoperatively, the animals were selected to be sacrificed and the ulna specimens were analyzed by Micro-CT. The sections were also treated with Masson staining for histological evaluation. More callus formation was observed in MIPO group in early stage of fracture healing. The fracture union rate has no significant difference between two groups. The results indicate that excessive soft tissue stripping may impact early callus formation. As MIPO technique can effectively reduce soft tissue injury with little incision, it is considered to be a promising alternative for fracture fixation.     

Epidemiological Analysis of Trauma Patients following the Lushan Earthquake

Background

A 7.0-magnitude earthquake hit Lushan County in China’s Sichuan province on April 20, 2013, resulting in 196 deaths and 11,470 injured. This study was designed to analyze the characteristics of the injuries and the treatment of the seismic victims.

Methods

After the earthquake, an epidemiological survey of injured patients was conducted by the Health Department of Sichuan Province. Epidemiological survey tools included paper-and-pencil questionnaires and a data management system based on the Access Database. Questionnaires were completed based on the medical records of inpatients with earthquake-related injuries. Outpatients or non-seismic injured inpatients were excluded. A total of 2010 patients from 140 hospitals were included.

Results

The most common type of injuries involved bone fractures (58.3%). Children younger than 10 years of age suffered fewer fractures and chest injuries, but more skin and soft -tissue injuries. Patients older than 80 years were more likely to suffer hip and thigh fractures, pelvis fractures, and chest injuries, whereas adult patients suffered more ankle and foot fractures. A total of 207 cases of calcaneal fracture were due to high falling injuries related to extreme panic. The most common type of infection in hospitalized patients was pulmonary infections. A total of 70.5% patients had limb dysfunction, and 60.1% of this group received rehabilitation. Most patients received rehabilitation within 1 week, and the median duration of rehabilitation was 3 weeks. The cause of death of all seven hospitalized patients who died was severe traumatic brain injuries; five of this group died within 24 h after the earthquake.

Conclusions

Injuries varied as a function of the age of the victim. As more injuries were indirectly caused by the Lushan earthquake, disaster education is urgently needed to avoid secondary injuries.     

半伸直位髓内钉联合空心螺钉固定治疗胫骨下1/3螺旋形骨折合并后踝骨折的疗效研究

摘要 目的：探讨半伸直位髓内钉联合空心螺钉固定治疗胫骨下1/3螺旋形骨折合并后踝骨折的疗效。方法：回顾性分析2016年10月至2020年6月期间中国人民解放军陆军第七十三集团军医院收治的60例胫骨下1/3螺旋形骨折合并后踝骨折患者的临床资料,男47例,女13例,年龄18～71岁,平均（53.15±4.06）岁,致伤原因：车祸伤27例,摔伤21例,运动伤12例。根据髓内钉置钉方式不同将其分为两组,半伸直组采用半伸直位髓内钉联合空心螺钉固定（30例）,标准组采用标准髓内钉联合空心螺钉固定（30例）,所有患者术后随访1年。比较两组手术时间、术中出血量、骨折愈合时间、踝关节功能、膝关节功能、疼痛程度、并发症的差异。结果：半伸直组手术时间短于标准组（P<0.05）,两组术中出血量、骨折愈合时间比较无统计学差异（P＞0.05）。两组术后美国足踝外科协会（AOFAS）评分、Karlsson踝关节功能（KAFS）评分、美国纽约特种外科医院(HSS)评分均呈增高趋势（P<0.05）,视觉模拟评分法（VAS）评分均呈降低趋势（P<0.05）,半伸直组术后12周、术后1年VAS评分均低于标准组（P＜0.05）,HSS评分高于标准组（P＜0.05）。两组并发症发生率比较无统计学差异（P＞0.05）。结论：采用半伸直位髓内钉联合空心螺钉固定治疗胫骨下1/3螺旋形骨折合并后踝骨折患者,与标准髓内钉联合空心螺钉固定比较,安全性和促进踝关节恢复的效果相当,且手术用时更短,患者术后疼痛更轻,膝关节功能改善更明显,在治疗中更具优势。     

Synostose talo-calcanéenne et scintigraphie osseuse à l’HMDP-Tc : intérêt des images TEMP-TDM et problèmes de diagnostic différentiel

The purpose of this case report is to illustrate the scintigraphic aspect of a common foot disease, the tarsal synostosis. We report the clinical case of a 36 years old patient with a history of repeated injuries of left ankle, and experiencing residual pain. Foot radiographs and CT scan were not contributory and a MRI exam of the foot disclosed fibrous talocalcaneal bridge in favor of a syndesmosis. Bone scintigraphy with SPECT-CT images had a double interest, showing the active inflammatory process of the synostosis and delimiting the anatomical structures related to this uptake. Medical treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs has been introduced, associated to immobilization, and followed by sessions of physiotherapy.     

Preparatory co-activation of the ankle muscles may prevent ankle inversion injuries

Ankle inversion sprains are the most frequent acute musculoskeletal injuries occurring in physical activity. Interventions that retrain muscle coordination have helped rehabilitate injured ankles, but it is unclear which muscle coordination strategies, if any, can prevent ankle sprains. The purpose of this study was to determine whether coordinated activity of the ankle muscles could prevent excessive ankle inversion during a simulated landing on a 30° incline. We used a set of musculoskeletal simulations to evaluate the efficacy of two strategies for coordinating the ankle evertor and invertor muscles during simulated landing scenarios: planned co-activation and stretch reflex activation with physiologic latency (60-ms delay). A full-body musculoskeletal model of landing was used to generate simulations of a subject dropping onto an inclined surface with each coordination condition. Within each condition, the intensity of evertor and invertor co-activity or stretch reflexes were varied systematically. The simulations revealed that strong preparatory co-activation of the ankle evertors and invertors prior to ground contact prevented ankle inversion from exceeding injury thresholds by rapidly generating eversion moments after initial contact. Conversely, stretch reflexes were too slow to generate eversion moments before the simulations reached the threshold for inversion injury. These results suggest that training interventions to protect the ankle should focus on stiffening the ankle with muscle co-activation prior to landing. The musculoskeletal models, controllers, software, and simulation results are freely available online at http://simtk.org/home/ankle-sprains, enabling others to reproduce the results and explore new injury scenarios and interventions.     

胶原诱导型关节炎大鼠的关节影像学特点

目的旨在分析CIA X线片四肢关节的破坏特点,揭示CIA大鼠关节破坏的规律,为规范评分方案提供依据。方法采用П型胶原和弗氏完全佐剂皮下注射清洁级Wistar大鼠,造模成功（每批10只,共3次）后第35天行全身X线钼靶照片,以正常组作为对照、每只大鼠评价96块骨破坏（erosion）和100个关节间隙（joint space narrowing,JSN）;处死动物,取左前肢和右后肢近端第3足趾关节苏木素-伊红（HE）染色,评价中性粒细胞、淋巴细胞、浆细胞浸润、滑膜增生和软骨破坏的情况。结果造模成功后CIA大鼠关节出现明显的红肿,活动受限;HE病理显示,CIA关节存在明显的中性粒细胞、淋巴细胞和浆细胞浸润,滑膜增生,纤维组织增生,软骨破坏;X线片分析结果显示：①广泛性骨质疏松,边缘性骨质侵蚀,关节间隙狭窄或增宽,部分踝关节间隙消失,关节相互融合甚至骨性强直。②67%的骨出现erosion,JSN影响为78%,关节破坏以中、重度为主;③远端、近端趾间关节和踝关节发病率高,损害严重,掌趾关节发病率低,破坏较轻。④后肢关节破坏重于前肢（P〈0.01）,左右肢没有显著性差异（P〉0.05）。结论①滑膜是CIA炎症反应启动的主要病灶,与骨交界的滑膜和血管翳造成了CIA的骨质破坏;②CIA影像学表现关节破坏严重,以远端、近端趾间关节和踝关节为主,这些关节可作为评价破坏程度的选择。本研究对于深入CIA关节破坏的病因病理和进一步规范X线片评分方案具有一定意义。     

足踝部慢性骨髓炎的手术治疗策略

目的:足踝部特殊的解剖结构使其在手术或创伤打击之后易发骨髓炎,本文介绍了足踝部慢性骨髓炎的治疗策略及治疗结果。方法:回顾性分析2010年1月到2015年12月于我科治疗的足踝部慢性骨髓炎患者的临床特点及治疗结果,纳入患者术后随访至少2年,有糖尿病或免疫缺陷者被排除在研究之外。骨髓炎的病因,原发部位,致病菌,是否累及临近关节及骨髓炎复发情况被纳入评估,所有患者术前均进行SPECT/CT检查,用以评估骨髓炎感染的范围以及是否累及临近关节。手术治疗策略包括彻底的病灶清除,去除死腔以及累及关节时进行关节融合等。结果:足踝部慢性骨髓炎最常见的病因是创伤后的开放骨折或脱位,占所有患者的70%。耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌和铜绿假单胞菌是最常见的致病病原体。在45%的患者中,骨髓炎侵犯邻近关节,所有累及关节患者均进行了关节融合术。平均住院天数为16.5天。20例患者中18例无复发。结论:足踝部慢性骨髓炎发生邻近关节侵犯时,在进行彻底的病灶清除和去除死腔后,进行关节融合可获得良好疗效。     

The Effects of Kinesiotape Applied to the Lateral Aspect of the Ankle: Relevance to Ankle Sprains – A Systematic Review

Objective

To identify, evaluate and synthesise evidence on the effect of kinesiotape applied to the lateral aspect of the ankle, through a systematic review of quantitative studies.

Data Sources

A search for quantitative studies was undertaken using key terms of “kinesiotape” and “ankle” in seven electronic databases, using the maximum date ranges. Databases included: the Cochrane Library, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Medline, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, Scopus, SPORTDiscus and Web of Science.

Study Selection

Database hits were evaluated against explicit inclusion criteria. From 107 database hits, 8 quantitative studies were included.

Data Extraction

Two independent reviewers appraised the methodological rigour of the studies using the McMaster Critical Review Form for Quantitative Studies. Data were extracted on participant characteristics, kinesiotape parameters, comparison interventions, outcome measures and findings.

Data Syntheses

Most studies (n=7) had good to very good methodological rigour. Meta-analysis was not possible due to heterogeneity in participants, interventions and outcome measures. No adverse events were reported. Kinesiotape may produce different effects in healthy and injured ankles. In healthy ankles, kinesiotape may increase postural control, whereas in injured ankles it may improve proprioception, plantarflexor endurance and the performance of activities. These trends were identified from a small body of evidence including 276 participants.

Conclusions

It is recommended that kinesiotape may be used in clinical practice to prevent lateral ankle injuries (through its effects on postural control) and manage lateral ankle injuries due to its positive effects on proprioception, muscle endurance and activity performance. It appears that kinesiotape may not provide sufficient mechanical support to improve postural control in unstable ankles. Adverse events associated with kinseiotape are unlikely.     

Charcot foot in diabetes: farewell to the neurotrophic theory.

Neuropathic osteoarthropathy is characterised by relatively painless swelling together with extensive damage in bones and joints, predominantly in the feet and ankles. The uncontrolled natural course of the condition leads to gross foot deformity, skin pressure ulceration, spreading infections, and sometimes amputation. Jean-Martin Charcot in 1883 described "Charcot foot" named after him in patients with tabes dorsalis insensitivity. Charcot believed that intrinsic bone weakness was the underlying condition, and was caused by neurogenic deficiencies in bone nutrition. His followers believed such dystrophy to be mediated by sympathetic denervation of the bone vasculature (neurotrophic, or neurovascular theory). Attempts to prove this theory were futile. A neurogenic circulatory disorder potentially relevant to bone nutrition could not be identified. Nowadays, Charcot foot is mostly seen in diabetic neuropathy, which has replaced syphilis as a frequent cause of peripheral nerve dysfunction. Recent studies in the diabetic Charcot foot and bone turnover indicate that the neurotrophic theory is a myth. The assumption of bone resorption due to sympathetic denervation proved to be false--sympathetic activity increases osteoclastic activity and thereby bone loss (sympathomimetic bone resorption). Except for the transient, inflammatory stage of the diabetic Charcot foot, there is no evidence of relevant osteoporosis or demineralisation of the foot skeleton in diabetes.     

Accuracy of Ottawa ankle rules to exclude fractures of the ankle and mid-foot: systematic review

ObjectiveTo summarise the evidence on accuracy of the Ottawa ankle rules, a decision aid for excluding fractures of the ankle and mid-foot.DesignSystematic review.Results32 studies met the inclusion criteria and 27 studies reporting on 15 581 patients were used for meta-analysis. The pooled negative likelihood ratios for the ankle and mid-foot were 0.08 (95% confidence interval 0.03 to 0.18) and 0.08 (0.03 to 0.20), respectively. The pooled negative likelihood ratio for both regions in children was 0.07 (0.03 to 0.18). Applying these ratios to a 15% prevalence of fracture gave a less than 1.4% probability of actual fracture in these subgroups.ConclusionEvidence supports the Ottawa ankle rules as an accurate instrument for excluding fractures of the ankle and mid-foot. The instrument has a sensitivity of almost 100% and a modest specificity, and its use should reduce the number of unnecessary radiographs by 30-40%.

What is already known on this topic

Although most patients with ankle sprains who present to emergency departments undergo radiography, less than 15% have a fractureThe Ottawa ankle rules is a clinical decision aid designed to avoid unnecessary radiography

What this paper adds

The Ottawa ankle rules is highly accurate at excluding ankle fractures after sprain injury     

Kinematics of the ankle joint complex in snowboarding

Because snowboarders are known to injure their ankles more often than Alpine skiers, it has been postulated that stiffer snowboard boots would provide better protection to the ankle than current soft boots do. Snowboarders are also known to injure their front ankle more often than their back ankle, presumably because of the asymmetrical rotations of the ankles due to asymmetrical binding adjustement. To test these hypotheses, we measured the kinematics of the feet and legs of 5 snowboarders wearing soft boots and stiffer step-in boots during snowboarding maneuvers using an electromagnetic motion tracking system. The results were expressed in anatomically relevant rotations of the ankle joint complex, namely dorsi-/plantar flexion, eversion/inversion, and internal/external rotation. The measured ankle rotations show differences in the movement patterns of the front and back legs. Step-in boots were shown to allow less dorsiflexion, eversion, and external rotation than softer boots, possibly explaining why they are associated with a lower rate of fractures of the talus than soft boots.     

带线锚钉修复三角韧带损伤的效果及对患者踝关节功能的影响

目的:研究带线锚钉修复三角韧带损伤在踝关节骨折内固定治疗中的作用及对踝关节功能的影响。方法:回顾性分析2012年9月至2016年8月本院收治的72例裸关节骨折并三角韧带损伤患者并且行切开复位钢板置入内固定,及采取带线锚钉内固定方式修复三角韧带损伤视为观察组;另选取同期在本院进行踝关节骨折内固定治疗但不修复三角韧带的72例患者视为对照组。分析患者治疗前、治疗后1个月、3个月、6个月踝关节功能恢复情况,观察患侧内踝间隙和不良反应。结果:观察组在治疗后1个月、3个月、6个月的AOFAS评分显著高于对照组(P0.05)。观察组在治疗后6个月后的患侧内踝间隙显著小于对照组(P0.05)。结论:带线锚钉修复三角韧带损伤在踝关节骨折内固定治疗中,可明显降低患侧内踝间隙距离,可促进患者踝关节功能恢复,无严重不良反应,值得进一步广泛推广使用。     

Finite Element Analysis of Foot and Ankle Impact Injury: Risk Evaluation of Calcaneus and Talus Fracture

IntroductionFoot and ankle impact injury is common in geriatric trauma and often leads to fracture of rearfoot, including calcaneus and talus. The objective of this study was to assess the influence of foot impact on the risk of calcaneus and talus fracture via finite element analysis.MethodsA three-dimensional finite element model of foot and ankle was constructed based on magnetic resonance images of a female aged 28. The foot sustained a 7-kg passive impact through a foot plate. The simulated impact velocities were from 2.0 to 7.0 m/s with 1.0 m/s interval.ResultsAt 5.0 m/s impact velocity, the maximum von Mises stress of the trabecular calcaneus and talus were 3.21MPa and 2.41MPa respectively, while that of the Tresca stress were 3.46MPa and 2.55MPa. About 94% and 84% of the trabecular calcaneus and talus exceeded the shear yielding stress, while 21.7% and 18.3% yielded the compressive stress. The peak stresses were distributed around the talocalcaneal articulation and the calcaneal tuberosity inferiorly, which corresponded to the common fracture sites.ConclusionsThe prediction in this study showed that axial compressive impact at 5.0 m/s could produce considerable yielding of trabecular bone in both calcaneus and talus, dominantly by shear and compounded with compression that predispose the rearfoot in the risk of fracture. This study suggested the injury pattern and fracture mode of high energy trauma that provides insights in injury prevention and fracture management.