Cervical Spine Motion during Extrication

The Journal of Emergency Medicine, 18 October 2012

The authors claim that it has been estimated that up to one-quarter of spinal cord injuries may be significantly worsened during extrication or early treatment after a motor vehicle accident.

© Gary Wilson/ Pre-hospital Research Forum

The purpose of the study was to analyse the planar motions of the head relative to the torso during extrication from an automobile in a laboratory setting.

Video motion capture was used to quantify the range of motion of the head relative to the torso in 10 participants as they were extricated from a mock motor vehicle during four different extrication techniques:

1) Unassisted Unprotected;

2) Unassisted Protected with a cervical collar (CC);

3) Assisted and Protected with a CC;and

4) Assisted and Protected with a CC and Kendrick Extrication Device.

The results indicated a significant decrease in movement for all motions when the driver exited the vehicle unassisted with CC protection, compared to exiting unassisted and without protection. Decreases in movement were also observed for an event (i.e., Pivot in seat) during extrication with paramedic assistance and protection. However, no movement reduction was observed in another event (i.e., Recline on board) with both paramedic assistance and protection.

The authors found that in this study, no decrease in neck movement occurred for certain extrication events that included protection and assistance by the paramedics but recommended that further research should be undertaken.

http://www.jem-journal.com/article/S0736-4679(12)01075-X/abstract