Care of the spine

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Initial management
The conscious patient
Emergency management of spinal injuries
(Steroids)
"Clearing the neck"
Cervical sprains  ("Whiplash")
Thoracolumbar injuries
Links

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Beware of injury to the spine (unconscious patient)

Prioritise A(with Cx spine control), B and C

• Apply stiff neck collar, sand bags and tape to help immobilise the cervical spine
• Request CXR, lateral view of the cervical spine and pelvis as a minimum in the ED
• To help reveal the C7/T1 junction, apply caudal traction on the arms to the limit of comfort when the radiograph is taken. Other radiographs may be taken later in the X-ray Department if the patient is stable
• Perform basic neurological examination.
• Examine the lateral cervical X-ray which is usually adequate for revealing signs of significant trauma
  • alignment
  • fractures, dislocations (produce anterior displacement)
  • abnormal separation of spinous processes
  • prevertebral haematoma
  • increased atlanto-odontoid gap (3mm in adult, 5mm in a child)
• AP and open-mouth views of the odontoid may need to be taken later in the X-ray Department
• If you can't see C7/T1 request a swimmer's view.
• Thoracolumbar x-rays should be performed on all patients with multiple injuries or an accident mechanism with sufficient force that thoracolumbar injury could occur. A wedge fracture of thoracic vertebra may not be detected on log roll.

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The conscious patient

Neck

• Place head in neutral position, if deviated, during initial assessment or resuscitation. (Refrain from this if pain worsens or neurological symptoms develop during the manoeuvre).

• Restrict movement by means of firm collar, sandbags each side of the head and forehead tape. (Firm collar only if patient uncooperative)
• Enquire about pain - site, radiation, neurological symptoms, e.g. numbness and weakness.
• Perform a full neurological examination and include sacral reflexes if evidence of cord injury.
• Obtain lateral cervical radiograph C1 - C7/T1 +/- caudal arm traction.
• If C7 T1 junction still unclear, request swimmer's view.

Check for 

• mal-alignment
• fractures
• dislocations (producing displacement)
• abnormal separation of spinous processes
• prevertebral haematoma
• increased atlanto-odontoid gap (3 mm in adult, 5 mm in child)
• C1 - C3 spinolaminar alignment
• AP cervical views and open-mouth views of the odontoid must be taken at some stage (later if the patient is being admitted.)
• If there are neurological symptoms or signs (but no spinal cord injury), the x-rays are abnormal or the patient remains in significant pain, refer to the ED duty doctor (see clearing the cervical spine)
• Skull traction tongs are available in the ED if required by senior staff.

For more labelled x-ray please see Radiology.

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Types of cervical spine fractures

Internet access required. Please complain to the HSE if they have deliberately obstructed these links.

Hyperflexion injury (46-79%)

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Cervical sprains(Whiplash)

Correlate history & examination when deciding whether or not to x-ray patients with neck sprains. Higher velocity, fall from a height, vertebral tenderness and neurological symptoms (ASIA Form if neurological signs) are the more important indicators for x-ray. If all radiographs and neurology are normal and the patient can mobilize well, treat with NSAIDS and refer to GP (Please see clearing the cervical spine section). Arrange review in ED or physiotherapy if concerned. Early mobilization in neck sprains speed recovery [Bestbets]. Please provide all patients with verbal and written advice about neck sprain. Referral to a chiropractor is not indicated [BestBets].

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Thoracolumbar injuries

1. Enquire about level of pain, radiation and neurological symptoms (e.g. numbness, weakness) ASIA Form if positive
2. Perform basic chest, abdominal and neurological examination,
3. Obtain CXR if thoracic spinal injury,
4. "Log-roll" patient to examine spine and localise tenderness,
5. Obtain AP and lateral X-rays - usually in X-ray department if patient otherwise stable,
6. Refer if unstable injury, burst fracture (see below) or abnormal neurology (please record on ASIA Form)
7. Patients with stable fractures may be sent home with analgesia to rest but admit if unable to stand or lack of support at home. Fracture Clinic follow-up should be requested.
8. Beware of HYPERtension which may indicate autonomic dysreflexia.

NB: Unstable injuries are associated with dislocations or fractures resulting in separation of the anterior and posterior vertebral complexes (e.g. fractured pedicles). The more common stable injuries are confined to simple wedge or crush fractures of the vertebral bodies and fractures of the transverse or spinous processes. A burst fracture is an unstable comminuted fracture of the vertebral body with posterior displacement of fragments which may impinge on the spinal cord. Compression fractures are associated with fracture of the os calcis produced by falling from a height.

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The US National Acute Spinal Cord Injury Studies (NASCIS) have shown that the administration of Methylprednisolone within 8 hours of blunt spinal injury may improve neurological outcome. ASIA Form

The potential benefits must be weighed against the potential harm (e.g. sepsis, gastric ulceration, pancreatitis)

Please contact your local neurosurgical service or national spinal unit (Mater Misericordiae) for advice

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Links

• ASIA Form
• NEJM - Indications for imaging Cx spine
• Paediatric radiology cases
• Autonomic Dysreflexia

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Content by Dr Íomhar O' Sullivan 23/06/2000. Reviewed by Dr ÍOS 12/12/2002, 03/11/2004, 17/05/2005, 08/02/2007, 12/03/2009. Last review Dr ÍOS 12/12/11