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Spinal injury

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Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Skeletal spine
Skeletal spine
Vertebra, cervical (neck)
Vertebra, cervical (neck)
Vertebra, lumbar (low back)
Vertebra, lumbar (low back)
Vertebra, thoracic (mid back)
Vertebra, thoracic (mid back)
Vertebral column
Vertebral column
Central nervous system
Central nervous system
Spinal cord injury
Spinal cord injury
Spinal anatomy
Spinal anatomy
Two person roll - series
Two person roll - series

Alternative Names    Return to top

Neck injury

Definition    Return to top

Your spinal cord contains the nerves that carry messages between your brain and body. The cord passes through your neck and back. A spinal cord injury is very serious because it can cause paralysis below the site of the injury.

Considerations    Return to top

When someone has a spinal injury, additional movement may cause further damage to the nerves in the cord and can sometimes mean the difference between life and death.

If you think someone could possibly have a spinal injury, DO NOT move the injured person even a little bit, unless it is absolutely necessary (like getting someone out of a burning car).

If you are in doubt about whether a person has a spinal injury, assume that he or she DOES have one.

Causes    Return to top

Symptoms    Return to top

First Aid    Return to top

The main goal is to keep the person immobile and safe until medical help arrives.

  1. You or someone else should call 911.
  2. Hold the person's head and neck in the position in which they were found. DO NOT attempt to reposition the neck. Do not allow the neck to bend or twist.
IF THE PERSON IS UNRESPONSIVE
  1. Check the person's breathing and circulation. If necessary, begin rescue breathing and CPR.
  2. DO NOT tilt the head back when attempting to open the airway. Instead, place your fingers on the jaw on each side of the head. Lift the jaw forward.

IF YOU NEED TO ROLL THE PERSON

Do not roll the person over unless the person is vomiting or choking on blood, or you need to check for breathing.

  1. Two people are needed.
  2. One person should be stationed at the head, the other at the person's side.
  3. Keep the person's head, neck, and back in line with each other while you roll him or her onto one side.

DO NOT    Return to top

When to Contact a Medical Professional    Return to top

Call you local emergency number (such as 911) if there has been any injury that affects the neck or spinal cord. Keep the person absolutely immobile. Unless there is urgent danger, keep the person in the position where he or she was found.

Prevention    Return to top

References    Return to top

Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, eds. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2002.

Townsend, Jr., CM, ed. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 17th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier; 2004:498-502,1952.

DeLee JC, Drez, Jr., D, Miller MD, eds. DeLee and Drez’s Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2003:798,837.

Update Date: 7/25/2007

Updated by: Andrew L. Chen, M.D., M.S., Orthopedist, The Alpine Clinic, Littleton, NH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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