Brad Jacobson, chairman of Mercyhurst University's Sports Medicine Department in Erie, Pa., toured National Football League training camps this past summer to educate the league on how to improve the handling of cervical spine injuries, according to the Erie Times-News. Mr. Jacobson's "pack-and-fill" technique is backed by research completed in part at the motion analysis lab at Erie Shriners Ambulatory Surgery Center and Outpatient Specialty Care Center. The technique is separate from protocol established by the National Athletic Trainers' Association.
The research shows placing towels beneath the neck of a football player with a suspected spine injury after removing the helmet is preferable to removing both the helmet and the pads.
Mr. Jacobson is also the lead author of an upcoming article in the Journal of Athletic Training, "Cervical Spine Motion During American Football Equipment Removal Protocols: A Challenge to the All-or-Nothing Endeavor."
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The research shows placing towels beneath the neck of a football player with a suspected spine injury after removing the helmet is preferable to removing both the helmet and the pads.
Mr. Jacobson is also the lead author of an upcoming article in the Journal of Athletic Training, "Cervical Spine Motion During American Football Equipment Removal Protocols: A Challenge to the All-or-Nothing Endeavor."
More Articles on Spine:
Spinal Healthcare of the Future: 3 Responsibilities Post-Healthcare Reform
Building a Spine Surgery Center: 5 Points From Dr. Richard Kube
What Regulations Cause the Biggest Headaches for Spine Surgeons?