• P Devin Leahy and Christian M Puttlitz.
• Department of Physics and Engineering, Fort Lewis College, 1000 Rim Drive, Durango, CO, 81301, USA. pdleahy@fortlewis.edu.
• Eur Spine J. 2016 Jan 1; 25 (1): 122-126.

PurposeThis study examined the cervical spine range of motion (ROM) resulting from whiplash-type hyperextension and hyperflexion type ligamentous injuries, and sought to improve the accuracy of specific diagnosis of these injuries.MethodsThe study was accomplished by measurement of ROM throughout axial rotation, lateral bending, and flexion and extension, using a validated finite element model of the cervical spine that was modified to simulate hyperextension and/or hyperflexion injuries.ResultsIt was found that the kinematic difference between hyperextension and hyperflexion injuries was minimal throughout the combined flexion and extension ROM measurement that is commonly used for clinical diagnosis of cervical ligamentous injury. However, the two injuries demonstrated substantially different ROM under axial rotation and lateral bending.ConclusionsIt is recommended that other bending axes beyond flexion and extension are incorporated into clinical diagnosis of cervical ligamentous injury.

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