Head Position and Football Equipment Influence Cervical Spinal-Cord Space During Immobilization

Authors

Ryan T. Tierney, Temple University
Carl G. Mattacola, University of Kentucky
Michael R. Sitler, Temple University
Catherine Maldjian, Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York, NY

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of head position and football equipment (ie, helmet and shoulder pads) on cervical spinal cord space in individuals lying supine on a spine board.

DESIGN AND SETTING: The independent variables were head position (0-cm, 2-cm, and 4-cm occiput elevation with no helmet and shoulder pads and with helmet and shoulder pads) and cervical spine level (C3, C4, C5, C6, and C7). The 3 dependent variables were sagittal space available for the cord (SAC) (mm), sagittal spinal-cord diameter (mm), and cervical-thoracic angle ( degrees ), determined via magnetic resonance imaging.

SUBJECTS: Twelve men (age = 24.3 +/- 2.1 years; height = 181.1 +/- 5.7 cm; weight = 93.9 +/- 3.6 kg).

MEASUREMENTS: Sagittal space available for the cord was determined by subtracting the sagittal spinal-cord diameter from the corresponding sagittal spinal-canal diameter. The spinal-canal diameter was measured as the shortest distance from the vertebral body to the spinolaminar line at each of the spinal levels. Each measurement was taken 3 times, and the 3 measurements were averaged.

RESULTS: Sagittal space available for the cord was significantly greater (P < .01) for 0-cm (mean = 5.50 mm) than for 2-cm (mean = 4.86 mm) and 4-cm (mean = 5.07 mm) occiput elevation. SAC was also significantly greater (P < .01) for the equipment condition (mean = 5.34 mm) than for the 2-cm and 4-cm elevation levels. No significant difference (P = .093) in SAC existed between 0-cm elevation and the equipment condition.

CONCLUSIONS: The helmet and shoulder pads should be left on during spine-board immobilization of the injured football player. Similarly, during spine-board immobilization of an individual without football helmet and shoulder pads, the head should be maintained at 0 cm of occiput elevation. Sagittal spinal-cord space is optimized in both of these conditions.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-2002

Notes/Citation Information

Published in Journal of Athletic Training, v. 37, no. 2, p. 185-189.

Repository Citation

Tierney, Ryan T.; Mattacola, Carl G.; Sitler, Michael R.; and Maldjian, Catherine, "Head Position and Football Equipment Influence Cervical Spinal-Cord Space During Immobilization" (2002). Physical Therapy Faculty Publications. 15.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/rehabsci_facpub/15