Biomechanical evaluation of bilateral tibial spiral fractures during skiing--a case study.

The utility of a biomechanical evaluation of an injury is shown for an incident involving bilateral tibial spiral fractures during skiing. With incorporation of directly measured binding release forces into a biomechanical model, estimates of torques transmitted to the skier's leg were determined. The analysis revealed a high potential for torsional injury to the leg with the particular release mechanism and settings used by this skier; for nearly all applications of lateral loads to the ski, this skier's bindings would not have released prior to exceeding the torsional elastic threshold of the tibia.