Influence of thoracic ramping on whiplash kinematics.
BACKGROUND
Some experimental whiplash investigations using human volunteers and full-body cadavers reported thoracic ramping, characterized by superior translation and extension rotation of the cervico-thoracic junction. The effect of this phenomenon on cervical spinal kinematics has not been quantitatively determined.


METHODS
A comprehensively validated computational model exercised in 2.7 m/s rear impact was used to determine effects of superior translation and extension rotation of T1 on cervical segmental kinematics during the retraction phase.


RESULTS
In general, thoracic ramping had a minimal effect on cervical intervertebral kinematics during retraction.


CONCLUSIONS
Results of the present study demonstrated that magnitude of thoracic ramping plays a minimal role in the whiplash injury mechanism due to decreased effect on cervical segmental kinematics.
Stemper
Brian D
BD
Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, 9200 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA. stemps@mcw.edu
Yoganandan
Narayan
N
Rao
Raj D
RD
Pintar
Frank A
FA
D000054:Acceleration; D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000379:methods; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D019416:Head Movements; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009068:Movement; D009333:Neck / Q000503:physiopathology; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013909:Thorax / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*