Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association, Vol 90, Issue 4 167-174, Copyright © 2000 by American Podiatric Medical Association

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Fracture mechanics. A comparison study of torsional stress on bone

RB VanCourt, SE Byron, SJ Ali and BD Caldwell
Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine, Cleveland 44106, USA.

Fractures that result from torsional loading of shafts in mechanical systems of nonbiologic materials generate a fracture line that forms a 45 degrees angle to an axis that is perpendicular to the direction of torsional loading on the shaft. As tension and compression are applied to these isotropic substances, the angle of fracture increases and decreases, respectively. Understanding how these forces, particularly compressive forces, generate elongation of a spiral fracture increases the ability to predict the extent of injury to bone. Fibular and metatarsal fractures are of primary importance to the podiatric physician, but any spiral fracture may be subject to torsional loading. Thus the principles stated here apply to the entire skeletal system. The purpose of this article is to provide a better understanding of the mechanics behind the causes and characteristics of fractures and to explore whether these same factors apply to the fracture mechanics of bone.

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