Compression injuries of the cervical spine: a biomechanical analysis. Neurosurgery 1983 Sep;13(3):254-60
Date
09/01/1983Pubmed ID
6621839DOI
10.1227/00006123-198309000-00007Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0020508603 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 98 CitationsAbstract
Three intact cadavers and 10 isolated cervical spinal columns underwent compression, with forces directed vertically, forward, or rearward. Failure modes were often different than force directions. The loads required to produce bony injury or ligamentous disruption ranged from 645 to 7439 N. Flexion and extension injuries were produced at approximately 50% of the loads required for axial compression failures. The direction of force delivery correlated only partially with the resulting pathological condition. Clinical decisions based on retrospective analysis of roentgenograms may not account for the variability of forces and the prominence of ligament injuries seen in spinal trauma. Some of the difficulties encountered in biomechanical analyses of spinal trauma are discussed.
Author List
Maiman DJ, Sances A Jr, Myklebust JB, Larson SJ, Houterman C, Chilbert M, El-Ghatit AZMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Accidents, TrafficBiomechanical Phenomena
Fractures, Bone
Humans
Joint Dislocations
Ligaments, Articular
Male
Spinal Cord Compression
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal Injuries
Spine
Wounds, Nonpenetrating