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Published on: September 21, 2017
Neck injury mechanisms during direct face impact
Makoto Fukushima1, Koji Kaneoka, Koshiro Ono
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.
Spine
|April 20, 2006
Summary
Direct face impact causes upper cervical spine flexion, similar to neck retraction. This motion may lead to neck injuries in accidents, highlighting injury mechanisms during impacts.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics of traumatic injuries
- Spinal cord and neck injury research
- Human volunteer studies in accident simulation
Background:
- Neck injuries are common in traffic and falling accidents.
- Hyperextension is a frequent neck injury mechanism, often associated with facial trauma.
- Understanding face impact dynamics is crucial for injury prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cervical spine motion during direct facial impact.
- To elucidate potential mechanisms of neck injuries resulting from face impacts.
- To analyze the influence of impact location on spinal response.
Main Methods:
- 10 healthy male volunteers underwent direct facial impact (forehead and maxilla) using a controlled mass.
- Cervical spine motion was captured using cineradiography during low-level backward impact.
- Digitized measurements analyzed intervertebral motion and curvature during impact.
Main Results:
- Direct face impact induced upper cervical spine flexion in all participants.
- The cervical spine exhibited an S-shaped curvature, resembling cervical retraction.
- Impact location (forehead vs. maxilla) influenced the inflection point and specific intervertebral motions.
Conclusions:
- Direct facial impact generates upper/middle cervical spine flexion.
- This specific spinal curvature, induced by face impact, may be a precursor to neck injury.
- Findings contribute to understanding injury mechanisms in real-world accidents.
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