HOME HELP CONTACT US SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:
Sign In to gain access to subscriptions and/or personal tools.

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Carter, D. R. Articles by Frankel, V. H. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Carter, D. R. Articles by Frankel, V. H.

Biomechanics of hyperextension injuries to the cervical spine in football

Biomechanics Laboratory and Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington

Victor H. Frankel, M.D.

Biomechanics Laboratory and Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington

The biomechanics of cervical spine hyperextension injuries in football players were assessed by using quasi-static-free body analyses. Three situations, i.e., "cases", corresponding to the loading conditions created by three different helmet designs, were examined with the following assumptions: (1) the helmet rim is cut high enough posteriorly so that it does not impinge upon the posterior cervical spine, (2) the helmet rim impacts at the level of the fourth cervical vertebra, and (3) the posterior rim of the helmet strikes the shoulder pads. The results of the analyses suggest that the most dangerous hyperextension sit uation is Case 1 which leads to high forces and possibly serious injury to the upper cervical spine. The impact of the posterior rim of the helmet at the fourth cervical vertebra (Case 2) significantly reduces these forces. This finding directly conflicts with the so-called "guillotine" mechanism of injury. The impact of the posterior rim of the helmet on the shoulder pads (Case 3) creates the least hazardous loading conditions.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. F. LaPrade, K. A. Schnetzler, R. J. Broxterman, F. Wentorf, E. Wendland, and T. J. Gilbert Cervical Spine Alignment in the Immobilized Ice Hockey Player: A Computed Tomographic Analysis of the Effects of Helmet Removal Am. J. Sports Med., November 1, 2000; 28(6): 800 - 803. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Elattrache, P. D. Fadale, and F. H. Fu Thoracic spine fracture in a football player: A case report Am. J. Sports Med., January 1, 1993; 21(1): 157 - 160. [PDF]