Occurrence of cervical spine injuries in car crashes

摘要

A material of 600 rear-end impacts has been analysed in-depth in co-operation between engineers, physicians and university hospitals. The characteristics of the injury pattern are discussed with respect to car-related crash parameters. Cervicalspine distortion injuries (CSD) are the dominating injury. The CSD injuries are differentiated by use of the internationally accepted Quebec Task Force Classification (QTF). Risk factors for neck injuries including possible long-term consequences areinvestigated. Results from more than 40 sled tests with volunteers are reported; different injury risk factors, for example males/females are discussed with respect to biomechanical factors. The study outlines requirements for improved seat/head-restraint systems and proposes test standards for the simulation of rear-end crashes.