Description

Spinal injuries occur most commonly in young males, resulting from motor vehicle accidents (42% to 56%), falls (19% to 30%), gunshots (12% to 21%), sports (primarily diving, 6% to 7%), and miscellaneous causes (Kraus et al. 1975, Fine et al. 1979, Fife et al. 1986, Chavasiri and Unnanantana 1998, Chavasiri and Chavasiri 1998). The initial evaluation and management of a patient with an injured spine starts at the scene of the accident. The correct procedure must be carried out to prevent further neurologic deficit. Improved training of paramedical personnel, attention to immobilization, and careful patient transfer from the scene of the injury to hospital avoiding excessive movement of the affected site of the spinal injury, have resulted in a significant reduction of complete spinal cord injuries. A spinal column injury should be suspected, until proven otherwise, in all polytrauma patients, especially in those who are unconscious or intoxicated, or have head and neck injuries. General patient assessment starts with initial patient evaluation and a carefully documented history and examination. This would include the mechanism of injury, the time that the injury occurred, and the time that the patient arrived at the hospital.