Which mechanisms of injury can lead to a flexion injury of the cervical spine?

Flexion injuries of the cervical spine typically occur when the head moves forward in a way that compresses the neck. This is often a result of a forward movement from deceleration. For example, in a scenario such as a motor vehicle accident where a person experiences a sudden stop (deceleration) while their body continues to move forward, the head can be thrust forward suddenly. This action causes the neck to flex and can result in strain or injury to the cervical spine structures.

In contrast, twisting movements generally lead to injuries that are rotational rather than flexion-based. Direct impacts often result in different injury patterns, such as fractures or contusions, depending on how the impact occurs. Hyperextension injuries typically involve the head being forced backward, which is the opposite mechanism of a flexion injury. Thus, forward movement from deceleration is the key mechanism that precisely leads to flexion injuries of the cervical spine.