Cervical spine functional anatomy and the biomechanics of injury due to compressive loading.

Abstract

As with any joint of the body, our understanding of the mechanisms of cervical spine injury will ultimately serve to reduce their occurrence and increase the likelihood of recognition and immediate care. However, the cervical spine is unique in its normal kinematics compared with joints of the extremities. Injury biomechanics in the cervical spine are complex, and much can still be learned about mechanisms of the cervical spine injury specific to sports.