Citation

Zulkipli Z. Proc. Road Saf. Four Continents Conf. 2010; 15: 598-609.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Conference Sponsor)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Study Design: This study is essentially an extensive review of literature of spinal injuries sustained by motorcyclists. Objectives: The objectives of the review are to (i) determine the prevalence of spinal injuries in motorcycle crashes; (ii) to show the significance consequences of spinal injuries and its related social burden; (iii) to identify spinal injury pattern and mechanism; (iv) to highlight the current gap on the impact biomechanics specifically for motorcyclist spinal injuries. Background Data: Spinal injury studies on motorcyclists involved in road crashes. Method: All literature on road crashes was reviewed to identify publications pertaining to road crash research on spinal injuries. Findings: Based on the literature review, it is found that motor cyclists indeed sustain spinal injuries which frequently have devastating effects on the motor cyclists especially those involving spinal cord injuries. Most authors have reported a low incident rate for spinal injuries, with significant cases of missed injuries and also underreporting of spinal injuries. Based on population based study, the closest percentage of spine injury prevalence is 7%. Spinal injuries should be accorded a high priority because of its enormous social burden and cost. The most critical part of the spine is the cervical as the review indicates a high mortality rate among motorcyclists who suffer cervical injuries. The thoracic spinal area is also another critically important area because injuries to the thoracic spine often cause neurological impairment and also occur at a similarly high rate. To date there has been very little study done on impact biomechanics related to motorcycle crash. Most important advance in biomechanics response has been broadly explored for passenger car leaving a gap to the development of similar model specifically for motorcycle. Conclusions: Research on spinal injury due to motorcycle road crashes should be expanded to include experimental and validation tests in order to provide important information on crash and injury mechanism to improve vehicle design that may help reduce injuries, specifically spinal injuries.