A biomechanical comparison between the thoracolumbosacral surface contact area (SCA) of a standard backboard with other rigid immobilization surfaces

The Journal of Trauma
Yona KosashviliYigal Mirovsky

Abstract

Backboards are routinely used to protect the spine of trauma patients during transportation. Nevertheless, little is known about the biomechanical properties of this type of immobilization. To evaluate the mechanical support of the thoracolumbosacral spine provided by a standard backboard in comparison with various rigid immobilization surfaces, by examining their respective surface contact area (SCA). SCAs comparisons of a standard aluminum backboard, a rigid military stretcher, an aluminum backboard covered by blanket, 3 and 5 cm thickness foam, and a cushioned stretcher were made using 12 volunteers. The evaluation was performed by a computer- mediated system that generated a diagram indicating pressure distribution and SCA score in each volunteer. These data were compared with a medical grade mattress, which served as the control group. The median backboard's SCA was 14.6 +/- 5.5 times smaller than the stretcher's SCA (range 4.6-28, average 15, p < 0.001). Its median SCA was essentially doubled by covering it by a standard military blanket and tripled when covered by 3 cm layer of foam. Using a 5-cm layer of foam increased the backboard's SCA by 11 times. Cushioning the stretcher beneath the lumbar spine and the hamstrings ...Continue Reading

References

Jun 1, 1988·American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation·A R MawsonA Lopez
May 1, 1987·The Journal of Trauma·R A McGuireC Watts
Jan 1, 1994·Annals of Emergency Medicine·D ChanL Chan
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Feb 16, 2000·The American Journal of Emergency Medicine·E B Lerner, R Moscati
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Jan 19, 2006·Prehospital Emergency Care : Official Journal of the National Association of EMS Physicians and the National Association of State EMS Directors·Julie M KrellDavid P Hostler

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Citations

Sep 10, 2010·The American Journal of Emergency Medicine·Richard F EdlichWilliam B Long

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