title: Pretibial injury: key factors and their use in developing laboratory test methods.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clothing and Textile Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. r.laing@otago.ac.nz
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Laing
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Carr
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Niven
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bialostocki
mesh_terms: 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