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Spinal injury

Definition

The 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 loss of movement (paralysis) below the site of the injury.

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Alternative Names

Neck injury

Causes

A spinal cord injury may be caused by:

Bullet or stab wound
Traumatic injury to the face, neck, head, chest, or back (for example, a car accident)
Diving accident
Electric shock
Extreme twisting of the middle of the body
Landing on the head during a sports injury
Fall from a great height

Symptoms

Symptoms of a spinal cord injury may include:

Head that is in an unusual position
Numbness or tingling that spreads down an arm or leg
Weakness
Difficulty walking
Paralysis (loss of movement) of arms or legs
No bladder or bowel control
Shock (pale, clammy skin; bluish lips and fingernails; acting dazed or semiconscious)
Lack of alertness (unconsciousness)
Stiff neck, headache, or neck pain

First Aid

Never move anyone who you think may have a spinal injury, unless it is absolutely necessary. For example, if you need to get the person out of a burning car.)

Keep the person absolutely still and safe until medical help arrives.

Call the local emergency number, such as 911.
Hold the person's head and neck in the position in which they were found. DO NOT try to straighten the neck. Do not allow the neck to bend or twist.
Do not allow the person to get up and walk unassisted.

If the person is not alert or responding to you:

Check the person's breathing and circulation. If necessary, begin rescue breathing and CPR.
DO NOT tilt the head back when doing CPR. Instead, place your fingers on the jaw on each side of the head. Lift the jaw forward.

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

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

Do Not

DO NOT bend, twist, or lift the person's head or body.
DO NOT attempt to move the person before medical help arrives unless it is absolutely necessary.
DO NOT remove a helmet if a spinal injury is suspected.

Call immediately for emergency medical assistance if

Call you local emergency number (such as 911) if you think someone has a spinal cord injury. DO NOT move the person unless there is urgent danger.

Prevention

The following may lower your risk of spinal injury:

Wear seat belts.
Do not drink and drive.
Do not dive into pools, lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water, particularly if you cannot determine the depth of the water or if the water is not clear.
Do not tackle or dive into a person with your head.

References

Hockberger RS, Kaji AH, Newton E. Spinal injuries. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al, eds. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 40.

Torg JS. Cervical Spine Injuries: 1. Cervical Spine Injuries in the Adult. In: DeLee JC, Drez D Jr, Miller MD, eds. DeLee and Drez’s Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2009:chap 16, section A.

Pizzutillo PD, Herman MJ. Cervical Spine Injuries: 2. Cervical Spine Injuries in the Child. In: DeLee JC, Drez D Jr, Miller MD, eds. DeLee and Drez’s Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2009:chap 16, section A.

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