Effect of head restraint backset on head-neck kinematics in whiplash. Accid Anal Prev 2006 Mar;38(2):317-23
Date
11/18/2005Pubmed ID
16289336DOI
10.1016/j.aap.2005.10.005Scopus ID
2-s2.0-31044445815 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 44 CitationsAbstract
Although head restraints were introduced in the 1960s as a countermeasure for whiplash, their limited effectiveness has been attributed to incorrect positioning. The effect of backset on cervical segmental angulations, which were previously correlated with spinal injury, has not been delineated. Therefore, the practical restraint position to minimize injury remains unclear. A parametric study of increasing head restraint backset between 0 and 140mm was conducted using a comprehensively validated computational model. Head retraction values increased with increasing backset, reaching a maximum value of 53.5mm for backsets greater than 60mm. Segmental angulation magnitudes, greatest at levels C5-C6 and C6-C7, reached maximum values during the retraction phase and increased with increasing backset. Results were compared to a previously published head restraint rating system, wherein lower cervical extension magnitudes from this study exceeded mean physiologic limits for restraint positions rated good, acceptable, marginal, and poor. As head restraint contact was the limiting factor in head retraction and segmental angulations, the present study indicates that minimizing whiplash injury may be accomplished by limiting head restraint backset to less than 60mm either passively or actively after impact.
Author List
Stemper BD, Yoganandan N, Pintar FAAuthors
Frank A. Pintar PhD Professor in the Biomedical Engineering department at Medical College of WisconsinBrian Stemper PhD Professor in the Biomedical Engineering department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Narayan Yoganandan PhD Professor in the Neurosurgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Biomechanical PhenomenaCervical Vertebrae
Computer Simulation
Head
Head Protective Devices
Humans
Models, Theoretical
Motion
Restraint, Physical
Whiplash Injuries
