Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41152802›Full record

ArticleBMC musculoskeletal disorders2025

Doctor, when can I drive? - Influence of muscle weakness of dorsal flexors and plantar flexors from the ankle joint on driving ability.

Dominique Schoeps, Max Prost, Falk Hilsmann, Felix Lakomek, Erik Schiffner, Pascal Jungbluth, Max Joseph Scheyerer, Joachim Windolf, David Latz

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Dominique Schoeps *Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, Düsseldorf, 40225, Germany. Dominique.schoeps@med.uni-duesseldorf.de.
Max Prost *Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, Düsseldorf, 40225, Germany.
Falk HilsmannDepartment of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, Düsseldorf, 40225, Germany.
Felix LakomekDepartment of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, Düsseldorf, 40225, Germany.
Erik SchiffnerDepartment of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, Düsseldorf, 40225, Germany.
Pascal JungbluthDepartment of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, Düsseldorf, 40225, Germany.
Max Joseph ScheyererDepartment of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, Düsseldorf, 40225, Germany.
Joachim WindolfDepartment of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, Düsseldorf, 40225, Germany.
David LatzDepartment of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, Düsseldorf, 40225, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeDorsiflexion (DF) and plantarflexion (PF) weakness are among the most commonly observed muscle strength impairments of the lower extremities. This may be due to spinal conditions, peripheral nerve damage, trauma or multiple other reasons. The personally used automobile remains the most commonly used mode of individual transportation in Germany. However, it is unclear whether and to what extent DF or PF weakness affects the ability to drive safely. This study aimed to experimentally assess the impact of DF and PF weakness on driving ability.

methodsTwenty healthy licensed drivers with an annual mileage of > 5000 km participated in this experimental study. A custom-made orthosis was applied to the right leg to simulate both DF and PF weakness. Participants completed two driving simulator scenarios: an emergency braking maneuver (EBM) and stop-and-go traffic (StGo) under controlled conditions and with different levels of strength impairment (3/5 and < 3/5). Driving performance parameters were recorded and statistically analyzed using SPSS 29.

resultsDF weakness significantly prolonged brake pedal activation during EBM (2238 ms vs. 2046 ms; p < 0.02), while PF weakness had no significant effect. In StGo, PF weakness led to significantly more frequent acceleration use (1.4 vs. 1.05; p < 0.02) and increased safety distance (30.3 m vs. 24.8 m; p < 0.01). DF weakness resulted in more frequent acceleration use, lower speed, and a reduced safety distance (21.9 m vs. 24.8 m; p < 0.05).

conclusionPF weakness primarily affects fine motor control in StGo, while DF weakness significantly impacts both EBM and StGo. Compensation mechanisms should be further investigated.

Indexed as

Ankle JointAutomobile DrivingMuscle, SkeletalMuscle WeaknessAdultFemaleHumansMaleMuscle StrengthYoung AdultAnkle muscle weaknessDorsiflexionDriving abilityDriving simulatorPlantarflexionReaction time

Identifiers

PMID41152802
PMCPMC12560551

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.