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Motion generated in the unstable spine during hospital bed transfers
Glenn R Rechtine1, Gianluca Del Rossi, Bryan P Conrad
1Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
Background:
The purpose of this study was to compare the motion generated when executing the bed transfer procedure in cadavers with unstable lower cervical spines.
Methods:
Five cadavers received a global instability at the C5-6 level. Each cadaver was moved with and without a rigid cervical collar. The amount of translation resulting from the bed transfer was measured.
Results:
Statistical analysis revealed no difference in spinal movement between treatments (with or without a collar). Anterior/posterior (AP) and medial/lateral motions were similar in magnitude and much higher than longitudinal motion.
Conclusions:
There was very little resistance to motion in the AP and lateral directions. Thus, it may not be surprising that no difference in the amount of motion was noted between transfers conducted by skilled hands with or without a collar. Current hospital transfer techniques have the potential to inflict an unacceptably large displacement on an unstable spine.
