Lower Leg Injury Mechanism Investigation During an IED Blast Under a Vehicle Using an Anatomic Leg Model

Abstract

Attacks with improvised explosive device (IED) constituted the main threat to, for example, Polish soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Improving safety during transport in an armored vehicle has become an important issue. The main purpose of the presented research is to investigate the mechanism of lower leg injuries during explosion under an armored vehicle. Using a numerical anatomic model of the lower leg, the analysis of the leg position was carried out. In all presented positions, the stress limit of 160 (MPa) was reached, which indicates bone damage. There is a difference in stress distribution in anatomic elements pointing to different injury mechanisms.

Wounding characteristics and treatment principles of ground anti-armored vehicle ammunition against armored crew

“… 26 It was showed in another IED-wounded group that tibia and fibula fractures accounted for 45.8%, foot for 35.6%, femur for 10.1%, metacarpal for 3.4%, humerus for 3.3%, radial and ulnar for 1.7%, some cases with ankle dislocation, patella and knee ligament injuries. 7 These fracture patterns are the same as those caused by naval mines during the evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940 and the Normandy landings in 1944. 22…”

“… 1 It has been extensively used by anti-American forces in Afghanistan (responsible for 63% of the casualties) and Iraq (responsible for 47% of casualties). 7 The IED has caused a large amount of wounded (25,000 − 33,000) and deaths (> 3100) of the United States (US) troops in the Afghanistan/Iraq battlefields, also destroyed many combat vehicles. 7 , 8 …”

“… 7 The IED has caused a large amount of wounded (25,000 − 33,000) and deaths (> 3100) of the United States (US) troops in the Afghanistan/Iraq battlefields, also destroyed many combat vehicles. 7 , 8 …”

“…These forces result in increased axial stress of the limbs and spine that are in contact with the armor wall. Once the stress exceeds the threshold of the bone (the tibia, talus and calcaneus = 160 MPa, 7 the axial impact force of 10% tibial fracture = 12.2 kN 12 or 12.6 kN 13 ), the fracture of limbs and spine occurs. The explosive energy can also make the armored vehicle displacement or throwing within 15 ms, further resulting in fractures and soft tissue injuries of armored crew due to the throwing and collision.…”

“…The explosive energy can also make the armored vehicle displacement or throwing within 15 ms, further resulting in fractures and soft tissue injuries of armored crew due to the throwing and collision. 7 , 14 …”