ASSESSMENT OF THE SEVERITY OF LAND MINE INJURY USING A LOWER LIMB PHYSICAL MODEL

Abstract

Anti-personnel (AP) mines pose a serious threat to mine clearance personnel and developing effective foot/ leg protection is of benefit. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of a protective system it is necessary to have a physical model of the human leg and foot that replicates bony injury from AP mines.

The purpose of this study was to develop and assess a lower limb model (LLM) that reflects human bony injury from AP mines.

The LLM comprised a red deer tibia, calcaneum, talus, tarsus and metatarsal encased in 20% gelatine. A British Army combat boot was fitted onto the LLM. Two types of simulated AP mine were used comprising 29g and 50g of plastic explosive (PE). Mines were surface laid and the heel of the boot was placed directly over the top of the mine. Firings with both mine types were performed with the heel in contact with the mine. Further firings with the 50g PE mine included a variable stand-off (e.g. distance of the sole of the boot from the mine) of 25–100mm.

The LLM was assessed for bony injury using the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) mine injury system and a mine fracture score (MFS). The pattern of injury resulting from the two mine types, with no stand-off, was different. The 50g mine produced traumatic amputations in four out of five firings, fractures occuring at 3–11 cm from the ankle joint line (pattern 1 injury – ICRC classification). The 29g mine produced hindfoot injuries with comminuted fractures of the calcaneum and talus in all five firings. These are similar to the bony injuries seen in AP mine casualties in Croatia. Use of the MFS allowed comparison with previous cadaver experiments and demonstrated a graded response to increasing stand-off.

The LLM replicated the pattern of some bony injuries seen in landmine casualties and could be used to assess the effectiveness of mine protective foot/leg wear.