Neck pain a debilitating problem for RCAF helicopter pilots

[Blackadder1916]

For those who want a little background to the discussion:
Royal Canadian Air Force Neck- and Back-Trouble Research
A Historical Review  DRDC-RDDC-2016-D031 July 2016
http://cradpdf.drdc-rddc.gc.ca/PDFS/unc237/p804318_A1b.pdf

And to stir the pot a little in the aircrew vs combat arms sub-plot a little something from our neighbours to the south.
USARIEM TECHNICAL REPORT T06-01
A BASELINE HISTORICAL ANALYSIS OF NECK AND BACK-RELATED MORBIDITY IN THE U.S. ARMY: OCCUPATIONAL RISKS POTENTIALLY RELATED TO HEAD-SUPPORTED MASS

RESULTS
FREQUENCIES AND UNADJUSTED RATES OF NECK AND BACK INJURIES AND CONDITIONS

Table 5 displays the frequency of neck- and back-related conditions observed
during the study period, stratified by rank. During the study period there were a total of
1,257,878 back- or neck-related health encounters and/or disability-related diagnoses.
The vast majority (85%, N = 1,072,643) were for back-related conditions. However,
there were significant rank associations such that officers were relatively more likely
than enlisted to experience a neck injury versus back injury. Thirteen and a half percent
of enlisted Soldier neck- and back-related encounters were related to neck problems,
while 23.5% of officer neck- and back-related injury encounters were for neck problems.
However, officers with acute neck injuries were more likely than enlisted with acute neck
injuries to be treated in an outpatient setting, suggesting officer neck injuries may be
less serious; 9.2% of enlisted with acute neck injuries were hospitalized compared to
3.4% of officers with acute neck injuries treated in either hospital or outpatient setting.

There is a lot more in the USARIEM report and the above highlighted excerpt is not to be construed as the conclusion.  If you can wade through the statistics, it may be of interest to anyone who wants a more in-depth analysis of the problem.

 

[Blackadder1916]

And the potential for increased neck/back problems due to posture and vibration stress may not be limited to aircraft activities.

Effects of vehicle-ride exposure on cervical pathology: a meta-analysis
https://www.jniosh.go.jp/en/indu_hel/doc/IH_53_3_197.pdf

Abstract: Research to date on the effect vehicle-ride exposure has on the development of cervical
pathologies in mounted Warfighters is conflicting. The purpose of this study was to determine if
the literature suggests a definite effect of vehicle-ride exposure on cervical pathology. Databases
were searched using multiple combinations of select terms. Twelve studies meeting the inclusion
criteria were included in the meta-analysis. The results of the meta-analysis revealed that overall
vehicle-ride exposure was likely to increase cervical pathology (p=0.01, odds ratio=1.59, 95%
CI=1.16−2.17). Using vehicle type as a moderator it was found that vehicle-ride exposure in ground based
vehicles (p=0.01, odds ratio=2.33, 95% CI=1.41−3.85) and fixed-wing aircraft (p=0.01, odds
ratio =1.59, 95% CI=1.13−2.23) were likely to increase cervical pathology. Using operator/other
personnel moderator it was found that in the populations tested, fighter pilots or fighter jet weapons
systems operators were more likely to develop a cervical pathology (p<0.001, odds ratio=1.78,
95% CI=1.26−2.50). The available studies indicate an increase in cervical pathology for personnel
exposed to ground-based vehicles and fixed-wing aircraft.