Biomechanics of Human Thoracolumbar Spinal Column Trauma from Vertical Impact Loading

Recent studies suggest that dorsal spine injuries occur in motor vehicle crashes to restrained occupants. Compression/compression-flexion injuries occur in frontal crashes due to seat pan and vertical loading. While injuries, mechanisms and tolerances for neck injuries have been determined, thoraco-lumbar spine data are very limited. The objective of the study was to determine the biomechanical characteristics associated with such spinal injuries due to vertical loading. Upper thoracic (T2–T6), lower thoracic (T7–T11) and lumbar (T12-L5) columns from post mortem human surrogates were procured, fixed at the ends and dropped from three heights: the first two impacts designed as non-failure tests and the final was the failure test. Intermittent evaluations consisted of palpations and x-rays. Injuries were assessed using posttest x-rays and computed tomography scans. The age, stature, total body mass and body mass index of three PMHS were: 50 years, 164 cm, 66.9 kg, and 24.7 kg/m2. The mean peak forces from 24 tests for the upper and lower thoracic and lumbar spines for varying drop heights ranged from 1.6 to 4.3, 1.3 to 5.1, and 1.3 to 6.7 kN, respectively. All peak forces increased with increasing drop heights. Injuries to the three spines included unstable vertebral body and posterior element (bipedicular and lamina) compression fractures and posterior complex disruptions. Logistic regression analysis indicated that peak forces of 3.4 and 3.7 kN are associated with 50% probability of fracture. These results indicate the initial tolerance limits of dorsal spines under vertical loading.

• Record URL:
  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3861829
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/19432461
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission from Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine.
• Corporate Authors:

  Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM)

  P.O. Box 4176
  Barrington, IL  United States  60011-4176
• Authors:
  • Yoganandan, Narayan
  • Arun, Mike
  • Stemper, Brian D
  • Pintar, Frank
  • Maiman, Dennis J
• Conference:
  • 57th Annual Scientific Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine
  • Location: Québec City , Canada
  • Date: 2013-9-23 to 2013-9-25
• Publication Date: 2013-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 155-166
• Monograph Title: Annals of Advances in Automotive Medicine. 57th Annual Scientific Conference, Québec City, Canada, September 23-25, 2013
• Serial:
  • Annals of Advances in Automotive Medicine
  • Volume: 57
  • Publisher: Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM)
  • ISSN: 1943-2461

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cadavers; Crash injuries; Crash tests; Diagnostic tests; Fractures (Anatomy); Injury severity; Occupant kinetics; Seat belt use; Spinal column; Thorax
• Candidate Terms: Imaging systems
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I84: Personal Injuries;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01528275
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 16 2014 9:52AM