An Extended Neck Position is Likely to Produce Cervical Spine Injuries Through Buckling in Accidental Head-First...

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Sports Medicine
• Injury Prevention

Background:

• Catastrophic cervical spine injuries are a significant risk in rugby, particularly during tackles.
• The exact biomechanical mechanisms causing these injuries, such as neck hyperflexion or buckling, are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how the head and neck's initial posture before impact influences spinal loads and movements during a head-first rugby tackle.
• To provide evidence-based insights for rugby injury prevention strategies.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a validated, subject-specific musculoskeletal model of a rugby player.
• Employed computer simulations driven by in vivo and in vitro data to analyze cervical spine dynamics.
• Examined the effect of different pre-impact head-neck postures on injury risk.

Main Results:

• Simulations revealed that an extended neck posture during impact resulted in cervical spine buckling.
• This extended posture led to supraphysiologic intervertebral shear and flexion loads and motions, consistent with facet dislocation injuries.
• An initially flexed neck posture increased axial compression and flexion but remained within physiological limits.

Conclusions:

• The pre-impact head-neck posture significantly affects the loads and kinematics experienced by the cervical spine during rugby tackles.
• An extended neck posture poses a higher risk for severe injury, including facet dislocation.
• These findings can inform rugby safety regulations and injury prevention efforts.