Citation

Nagel DA, Perkash I, Piziali RL, Hayes WC. Proc. Am. Assoc. Automot. Med. Annu. Conf. 1975; 19: 124-136.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1975, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Thousands of people suffer spinal injuries each year. Many often fracture dislocations in the dorsal-lumbar spine result in paraplegia. Recent investigations have identified the lap seat belt as instrumental in tension- type fracture dislocations in the dorsal-lumbar spine. This paper describes initial efforts to study whole body dynamics in simulated automobile accidents, and measure the strength of intervertebral joint components under tension. Results indicate that the position of the lap belt effects the injury pattern. Two spines were tested, and the strength and stiffness of the T12-L1 and L3-L4 posterior elements was 127 to 226 lbs. and 663 to 733 lbs./in. respectively.