| Inversion sprains of the lateral ankle ligaments are one of the most common of all sporting injuries. The goals of the current research were to develop a cadaveric test system that accurately mimicked a drop landing and to determine strains and strain rates in the anterior talofibular (ATFL) and calcaneofibular (CFL) ligaments during an inversion sprain.;Human volunteer drops were performed to determine appropriate ankle angles, Achilles tendon (AT) forces, and AT stiffnesses to be used for the cadaver drops. Ten males performed drops from 30.5 cm using four landing techniques. At impact, the ankle angle was 123-135;Cadaver lower legs were then placed in the test system. Strain transducers were sutured into the ATFL and CFL and a surrogate plantar flexor was attached to the calcaneus. The specimens were dropped from 15.2 cm onto a flat surface and then onto a 30;These data are useful in determining mechanisms of ankle injuries during inversion sprains and can be integrated into test models, computer simulations, and other experimental studies investigating ankle biomechanics. These experiments, for the first time in any joint, also provide in vitro strain and strain rate information during a simulated traumatic, potentially injurious event.;The repeatability of the test system was confirmed with a parametric evaluation of a manikin lower leg and of different types of prosthetic feet. Peak vertical forces and accelerations showed variabilities of less than 5% and demonstrated treatment effects for changes in foot type, drop height, and specimen mass. |
