An investigation into axial impacts of the cervical spine using digital image correlation

High-energy impacts are commonly encountered during sports such as rugby union. Although catastrophic injuries resulting from such impacts are rare, the consequences can be devastating for all those involved. A greater level of understanding of cervical spine injury mechanisms is required, with the ultimate aim of minimizing such injuries.

The present study aimed to provide a greater understanding of cervical spine injury mechanisms, by subjecting porcine spinal specimens to impact conditions based on those measured in vivo. The impacts were investigated using high-speed digital image correlation (DIC), a method not previously adopted for spinal impact research.

This was an in vitro biomechanical study.

Eight porcine specimens were impacted using a custom-made rig. The cranial and caudal axial loads were measured at 1 MHz. Video data were captured with two cameras at 4 kHz, providing measurements of the three-dimensional deformation and surface strain field of the specimens using DIC.

The injuries induced on the specimens were similar to those observed clinically. The mean±standard deviation peak caudal load was 6.0±2.1 kN, which occurred 5.6±1.1 ms after impact. Damage observable with the video data occurred in six specimens, 5.4±1.1 ms after impact, and the peak surface strain at fracture initiation was 4.6±0.5%.

This study has provided an unprecedented insight into the injury mechanisms of the cervical spine during impact loading. The posture represents a key factor in injury initiation, with lordosis of the spine increasing the likelihood of injury.