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. 2020 Jan;75(1):78.e9-78.e16.
doi: 10.1016/j.crad.2019.08.026. Epub 2019 Oct 4.

Investigating rolling as mechanism for humeral fractures in non-ambulant infants: a preliminary finite element study

Z Altai  1 , M Viceconti  1 , X Li  2 , A C Offiah  3
Affiliations
Free article

Investigating rolling as mechanism for humeral fractures in non-ambulant infants: a preliminary finite element study

Z Altai et al. Clin Radiol. 2020 Jan.
Free article

Abstract

Aim: To use personalised computed tomography (CT)-based finite element models to quantitatively investigate the likelihood of self-inflicted humeral fracture in non-ambulant infants secondary to rolling.

Materials and methods: Three whole-body post-mortem CT examinations of children at the age of rolling (two 4-month-old and one 6-month-old) were used. The mechanical moment needed by each infant to perform a rolling manoeuvre was calculated and applied to the finite element model in order to simulate spontaneous rolling from the prone to the supine position.

Results: The maximum predicted strains were found to be substantially lower (with a difference of >80%) than the elastic limit of the bone.

Conclusion: Results of this study challenge the plausibility of self-inflicted humeral fracture caused by rolling in non-ambulant infants and indicate that it is unlikely for a humeral fracture to result from this mechanism without the assistance of an external force.

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