A Biomechanical Comparison Between the Thoracolumbosacral Surface Contact Area (SCA) of a Standard Backboard With Other Rigid Immobilization Surfaces

• DOI: 10.1097/ta.0b013e318156835c
• Publication Date: 2009-01-07T08:21:32Z
• Authors: Yona Kosashvili; David Backstein; Yaron Bar Ziv; Oleg Safir; Amir Blumenfeld; Yigal Mirovsky
• Keywords: Cushioning

Introduction: Backboards are routinely used to protect the spine of trauma patients during transportation. Nevertheless, little is known about biomechanical properties this type immobilization. Objectives: To evaluate mechanical support thoracolumbosacral provided by a standard backboard in comparison with various rigid immobilization surfaces, examining their respective surface contact area (SCA). Materials: SCAs comparisons aluminum backboard, military stretcher, an covered blanket, 3 and 5 cm thickness foam, cushioned stretcher were made using 12 volunteers. The evaluation was performed computer- mediated system that generated diagram indicating pressure distribution SCA score each volunteer. These data compared medical grade mattress, which served as control group. Results: median backboard’s 14.6 ± 5.5 times smaller than stretcher’s (range 4.6–28, average 15, p < 0.001). Its essentially doubled covering it blanket tripled when layer foam. Using 5-cm foam increased 11 times. Cushioning beneath lumbar hamstrings folded blankets, significantly improved its (96 31.1, range 36–125, 89.7). Conclusions: inferior all other surfaces. Although no dynamic performed, these imply backboards need be appropriately or alternate surfaces should employed improve patient Level evidence, I.