Pretibial injury: key factors and their use in developing laboratory test methods.
Aims were to 1 characterize pretibial injuries and evaluate protection offered by garments/fabrics; and 2 develop a laboratory test to determine the potential protection provided by such fabrics. Most (>85%) of 75 patients treated for pretibial injury at Hutt Hospital, New Zealand sustained injury to one site and required surgery. Injuries were typically grade 3 or 4, 10-250 mm wide 30-350 mm long, and at the mid- to lower third of the tibia. The severity grade was lower when at least one fabric layer covered the site, slightly lower again with more than one layer, and when a knitted fabric/garment was worn, and a trouser type garment. Laboratory test methods and their application reflected these known variables. The force transmitted through multiple fabric layers was less then through one layer: thick pantyhouse and either denim or fabrics used in 'sweat pants' would minimize transmitted force and maximize impulse.
Laing
R M
RM
Department of Clothing and Textile Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. r.laing@otago.ac.nz
Carr
D J
DJ
Wilson
C A
CA
Tan
S T
ST
Niven
B E
BE
Davis
C
C
Bialostocki
A
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods*; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D011481:Protective Clothing; D011897:Random Allocation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013784:Textiles / Q000032:analysis*; D013977:Tibia