Human and behavioral factors contibuting to spine-based neurological cockpit injuries in pilots of high-performance aircraft: Recommendations for management and prevention

Military Medicine, Jan 2000 by Jones, Jeffrey A

Acknowledgments

Mary Wear, Billy Phillips, Laura Rudkin, Susan Weller, Sheryl Bishop, Stephanie Wells, Keith Shewbart, and John Durkin are thanked for their inputs and assistance in the preparation of the manuscript

References

1. North DM (ed): Twenty-first century fighters. Aviation Weekly 1998; 149(5): 38-72.

2. Burns JW: Upper limits of Gz protection (abstract no. 138al. Aviat Space Environ Med 1998; 69:222.

3. Gillingham KK, Plentzas S, Lewis NL: G Environments of the F-4, F-5, F- 15, and F-16 Aircraft during F-15 Tactics Development and Evaluation. USAFSAM-TR85-81. Brooks Air Force Base, TX US Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, 1985.

4. Kazarian LE, Beers K, Hernandez J: Spinal injuries in the F/FB- 111 crew escape system. Aviat Space Environ Med 1979: 50: 948-57.

5. Andersen HT: Neck injury sustained during exposure to high G forces in the F- 16B. Aviat Space Environ Med 1988; 59: 356-8.

6. Vanderbeek RD: Period prevalence of acute neck injury in U.S. Air Force pilots exposed to high G forces. Aviat Space Environ Med 1988; 59: 1176-80.

7. Schall DG: Non-ejection cervical spine injuries due to Gz in high performance aircraft. Aviat Space Environ Med 1989; 60: 445@56.

8. Hamalainen 0, Vanharanta H: Effect of Gz forces and head movements on cervical erector spine muscle strain, Aviat Space Environ Med 1992; 63: 709-16.

9. Hamalainen 0: Flight helmet weight, Gz forces, and neck muscle strain. Aviat Space Environ Med 1993; 64: 55-7.

10. Hamalainen 0, Vanharanta H, Bloigu R: Determinants of Gz-related neck pain: a preliminary survey. Aviat Space Environ Med 1993; 64: 651-2.

11. Hamalainen 0, Vanharanta H, Kuusela T: Degeneration of cervical intervertebral disks in fighter pilots frequently exposed to high Gz forces. Aviat Space Environ Med 1993: 64: 692-6.

12. Hamalainen 0, Vanharanta H, Bloigu R- Air Force Academy, Kauhava, Gzrelated neck pain: a follow-up study. Aviat Space Environ Med 1994; 65: 16-8.

13. Hamalainen 0, Visuri T, Kuronen P, Vanharanta H: Cervical disk bulges in fighter pilots. Aviat Space Environ Med 1994; 65: 144-6.

14. Newman DG: Head positioning for high Gz loads: an analysis of the techniques used by F/A-18 pilots. Aviat Space Environ Med 1997; 68: 732-5.

15. Hamalainen 0, Vanharanta H, Hupli M. Yarhu M, Kuronen P, Kinnunen H: Spinal shrinkage due to Gz forces. Aviat Space Environ Med 1996; 67: 659 - 61.

16. Mason KT, Harper JP, Shannon SG: Herniated nucleus pulposus: rates and outcomes among U.S. Army aviators. Aviat Space Environ Med 1996; 67: 338-40.

17. Johnson SL ,Wear ML, Hamm PB: Incidence of symptomatic herniated nucleus pulposis among astronauts and other selected populations (abstract no. 130a). Aviat Space Environ Med 1998; 69: 220.

18. Alexander MJ: Biomechanical aspects of lumbar injuries in athletes: a review. Canadian Journal of Applied Sports Sciences 1985; 10: 1-20.

Guarantor. CDR Jeffrey A. Jones, MC USNR Contributors: CDR Jeffrey A. Jones, MC USNR*; Steven F. Hart, MDt; David S. Baskin, MDt; Rainer Effenhauser, MD; Smith L. Johnson, MD; Lt Mark A. Novas, USAFR MC; Richard Jennings, MDt; Jeff Davis, MDt