Cervical spine: sport injuries biomechanics

An improved and detailed 3-D FE model of human cervical spine was created using digitized geometric measurement. The model was validated with the in-vivo studies of Moroney [5], Panjabi [6] and Fuller [7]. Clinical instability of the spine for two cases involving flexion and compression loading (simulating injuries in motorcycle vaulting, football and diving accidents) were analyzed. The instability was based on the check list of Panjabi and White [1]. It was determined that flexion moment of 10 Nm or compressive force of 450 N would generate significant stresses and strains, sufficient posterior-anterior displacement and rotational angulation of the vertebral bodies to place the lower and mid c-spine at the onset of clinical instability or disc herniation.