Acute Spinal Injury

The goal of management of injury of the spinal cord or cauda equina is, if possible, to reduce the resultant neurologic deficit and prevent any additional loss of neurologic function. In a patient with a suspected bony injury of the spine, the spine must be immobilized to prevent neural injury, and the anatomy of the injury must be analyzed as a first step in providing effective treatment.Resuscitation and Initial EvaluationThe specific steps in resuscitation and initial evaluation may be carried out either at the scene of the trauma or in the emergency room, depending on the urgency of . . .