Cervical Spine Injuries and Head-Supported Mass: A Descriptive Epidemiology Study in Special Operations Combat...

Area of Science:

• Military medicine
• Occupational health
• Sports medicine

Background:

• Special operations combat soldiers (SOCS) face high risks of cervical spine (CS) injuries due to demanding operational environments.
• Head-supported mass (HSM), including helmets and night vision gear, can exceed 3 kg, increasing susceptibility to CS injuries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the epidemiology of CS injuries in SOCS.
• To determine the impact of HSM on CS injuries and associated pain.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 284 SOCS and 91 age-matched controls completed self-report questionnaires on injury history, HSM exposure, and neck pain.
• Musculoskeletal testing assessed CS strength and range of motion in all participants.

Main Results:

• SOCS reported 1,090 CS injuries, with 91% occurring while wearing HSM. Common mechanisms included whiplash and parachute operations.
• 88% of SOCS experienced CS pain related to military activity, often aggravated by parachute opening. Injuries correlated with reduced neck strength and range of motion.

Conclusions:

• SOCS experience a high incidence of CS injuries and chronic neck pain, primarily associated with HSM.
• These conditions negatively impact duty performance and may increase future injury risk.
• Targeted prevention strategies, including policy evaluation, equipment assessment, and physical training, are recommended.