Neck injury incidence, mechanisms and protection

Patrick, L. M.<sup>1</sup>

Affiliations

¹Prof. Emeritus, College of Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan

Abstract

There are an estimated 10,000 severe cervical spinal cord injuries and fatalities in the U.S. annually of which about half are attributed to auto accidents. Sports injuries including diving accidents account for about one quarter of them. Severe neck injuries seldom occur without head impact. Hyperextension and hyperflexion injuries which are usually not incapacitating are the most numerous.

The mechanisms of the common types of neck injury are described. Protection of the neck is difficult as helmets provide essentially no neck protection. The three point harness is the most effective protection against neck injury.

Cited Works (23)

Year	Entry
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1975	Levine RS, Patrick LM. Injury assessment of unembalmed cadavers using a three point harness restraint. In: 19th Annual Proceedings, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM). November 20, 1975; San Diego, CA.80-92.
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1986	Muzzy WH, Seemann MR, Willems GC, Lustick LS, Bittner AC Jr. The effect of mass distribution parameters on head/neck dynamic response. In: Proceedings of the 30th Stapp Car Crash Conference. October 27-29, 1986; San Diego, CA. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers:167-183. SAE 861886.
1971	Mertz HJ, Patrick LM. Strength and response of the human neck. In: Proceedings of the 15th Stapp Car Crash Conference. November 17-19, 1971; Coronado, CA. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers:207-255. SAE 710855.
1974	Patrick LM, Bohlin N, Anderson A. Three-point harness accident and laboratory data comparison. In: Proceedings of the 18th Stapp Car Crash Conference. December 4-5, 1974; Ann Arbor, MI. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers:201-282. SAE 741181.
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1968	Ewing CL, Thomas DJ, Beeler GW Jr, Patrick LM, Gillis DB. Dynamic response of the head and neck of the living human to —G_x impact acceleration. In: Proceedings of the 12th Stapp Car Crash Conference. October 22-23, 1968; Detroit, MI. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers:424-439. SAE 680792.

Cited By (7)

Year	Entry
2005	Manoogian SJ, Kennedy EA, Duma SM. An Updated Literature Review of Musculoskeletal Injuries to the Human Neck and the Effects of Head-Supported Mass Worn by Soldiers. Fort Rucker, AL: U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory; October 2005. USAARL Contract Report CR-2006-01.
1996	Hassan AM, Parkin S, Mackay M. Spinal injuries in car collisions. In: 40th Annual Proceedings, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM). October 7-9, 1996; Vancouver, BC.19-31.
2008	Ridella SA, Eigen AM. Biomechanical investigation of injury mechanisms in rollover crashes from the CIREN database. In: Proceedings of the 36th International Workshop on Human Subjects for Biomechanical Research. November 2, 2008; San Antonio, TX.
1988	Mills NJ, Gilchrist A, Rowland FJ. Mathematical modelling of the effectiveness of helmets in head protection. In: Proceedings of the 1988 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 14-16, 1988; Bergisch-Gladbach, West Germany.215-226.
1990	Mills NJ, Gilchrist A. Body protectors for horse-riders. In: Proceedings of the 1990 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 12-14, 1990; Lyon, France.155-166.
1995	Hulme A, Mills NJ, Gilchrist A. Industrial head injuries and the performance of helmets. In: Proceedings of the 1995 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 13-15, 1995; Brunnen, Switzerland.217-231.
2008	Ridella SA, Eigen AM. Biomechanical investigation of injury mechanisms in rollover crashes from the ciren database. In: Proceedings of the 2008 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 17-19, 2008; Bern, Switzerland.33-47.