Effect of head-neck position on cervical facet stretch of post mortem human subjects during low speed rear end impacts

Sundararajan, Srini; Prasad, Priya; Demetropoulos, Constantine K.; Tashman, Scott; Begeman, Paul C.; Yang, King H.; King, Albert I.

Affiliations

¹Ford Motor Company

²Gehring Center for Biomechanics and Implant Analysis, William Beaumont Hospital

³Bone and Joint Specialty Center, Henry Ford Hospital

⁴Bioengineering Center, Wayne State University

Abstract and keywords

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of head-neck position on cervical facet stretch during low speed rear end impact. Twelve tests were conducted on four Post Mortem Human Subjects (PMHS) in a generic bucket seat environment. Three head positions, namely Normal (neutral), Zero Clearance between the head and head restraint, and Body Forward positions were tested. A high-speed x-ray system was used to record the motion of cervical vertebrae during these tests. Results demonstrate that: a) The maximum mean facet stretch at head restraint contact occurs at MS4 and MS5 for the Body Forward condition, b) The lower neck flexion moment, prior to head contact, shows a non-linear relationship with facet stretch, and c) “Differential rebound” during rear end impact increases facet stretch.

Keywords: Rear end impact; Cervical Spine; Whiplash; Facet

Links

PubMed: 17230273

SAE: 2004-22-0015

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