A state-of-the-art integrative approach to studying neck biomechanics in vivo

Neck injuries are significant causes of morbidity and mortality, and their chronic forms due to repetitive or sustained physical acts (e.g., prolonged use of mobile phone with a dropped head) are becoming increasingly more prevalent. Many injuries are preventable but the prevention and control requires a clear basic understanding of the neck biomechanics. In this paper, we describe a first-of-its-kind study that integrates a gamut of state-of-the-art imaging modalities (dynamic radiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)) and biodynamic measurements (motion capture, electromyography (EMG), force sensing), thereby investigating holistically the in vivo responses of the neck and its various interconnected musculoskeletal components during functional activities. We present a sample of findings to illustrate how the integrations at multiple levels can enable creating truly subject-specific neck musculoskeletal models and attaining novel insights that otherwise would be unattainable by a singular or subset of approaches.