Disc Injuries in Side Impacts

Disc Injuries in Side Impacts

           

           Side impacts may cause disc injuries to the cervical or back regions. In most cases, there is violent rotational movement of the vehicle and occupant during the impact, causing torsion to the neck and back. In addition, most occupants will have his/her heads turned looking at the bullet vehicle or turned to alert other occupants, resulting in a pre-twisting of the spine will cause annular disc fibers to become taut. One study that confirmed disc injuries conducted near-sided cadaver testing in 14 side impact tests with a delta-V of 50 km/h into a barrier. The most common injury noted in the cervical spine was intervertebral disc hemorrhages (55%), followed by ligamentum flavum injuries.