• Bryan P Conrad, Diana L Marchese, Glenn R Rechtine, Mark Prasarn, Gianluca Del Rossi, and Marybeth H Horodyski.
• Department of Orthopaedics, University of Florida, Gainesville;
• J Athl Train. 2013 Nov 1;48(6):797-803.

ContextTwo methods have been proposed to transfer an individual in the prone position to a spine board. Researchers do not know which method provides the best immobilization.ObjectiveTo determine if motion produced in the unstable cervical spine differs between 2 prone logrolling techniques and to evaluate the effect of equipment on the motion produced during prone logrolling.DesignCrossover study.SettingLaboratory.Patients Or Other ParticipantsTests were performed on 5 fresh cadavers (3 men, 2 women; age = 83 ± 8 years, mass = 61.2 ± 14.1 kg).Main Outcome Measure(S)Three-dimensional motions were recorded during 2 prone logroll protocols (pull, push) in cadavers with an unstable cervical spine. Three equipment conditions were evaluated: football shoulder pads and helmet, rigid cervical collar, and no equipment. The mean range of motion was calculated for each test condition.ResultsThe pull technique produced 16% more motion than the push technique in the lateral-bending angulation direction (F1,4 = 19.922, P = .01, η(2) = 0.833). Whereas the collar-only condition and, to a lesser extent, the football-shoulder-pads-and-helmet condition demonstrated trends toward providing more stability than the no-equipment condition, we found no differences among equipment conditions. We noted an interaction between technique and equipment, with the pull maneuver performed without equipment producing more anteroposterior motion than the push maneuver in any of the equipment conditions.ConclusionsWe saw a slight difference in the motion measured during the 2 prone logrolling techniques tested, with less lateral-bending and anteroposterior motion produced with the logroll push than the pull technique. Therefore, we recommend adopting the push technique as the preferred spine-boarding maneuver when a patient is found in the prone position. Researchers should continue to seek improved methods for performing prone spine-board transfers to further decrease the motion produced in the unstable spine.

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