Cervical spine injury
Deana Slovjaková
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Learning objectives
Student will learn main approach to the casualty with a cervical spine injury.
Student will learn how to immobilize cervical spine while moving with a
casualty.
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Introduction
different types of injuries (fractures of the vertebras, discs, ligaments, cord
damage)
associated injuries
spinal cord injury - damage to the spinal cord that causes temporary or
permanent changes in its function
- loss of muscle function, sensation, or autonomic function in the parts of the
body served by the spinal cord below the level of the injury
significant cause of death and disability
Image source: http://www.insuranceconsult.ca/life-annuities/all-you-need-to-know-if-you-meet-a-slip-and-fall-injury.html
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/society/20190307STO30715/safer-roads-new-eu-measures-to-reduce-car-accidents
https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/18/nyregion/18ritual.html4
Mechanism of an injury
High-energy trauma:
- car accident
- sport injuries
- fall injury
- uncontrolled water jumps
- fights
- back injury
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Symptoms
movement failure
loss of sensation
tingling
pain (neck, back,…)
incontinence of urine and stool
impaired consciousness or breathing failure
Image source: https://cz.123rf.com/photo_31227947_safety-first-red-rubber-stamp-over-a-white-background-.html
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First aid
safety first!!!
high-energy trauma? Symptoms? → suspect cervical spine injury
ATTENTION: RISK OF SECONDARY INJURY
An actual neurological damage may not correlate with the severity of the injury
or symptoms. Do not move with the causalty if it is not necessary!
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First aid
call EMS if any suspection on the cervical spine injury
do not move or minimize movement with the casualty
SSS ABC
examine the casualty from head to heels and treat severe bleeding
ensure thermal comfort and psychological help
if A or B are at risk (is not breathing or lost consciousness) – turn him on his
back and start providing CPR following ERC Guidliness 2015
in case of danger or transport use hard desk
Image source: https://www.prpom.cz/poraneni-patere/8
First aid – turning on the back
ideally provide in more rescuers
fix casuality´s head and neck as showed in the picture
The easiest technique is to hold head of the casualty between both forearms.
The rescuer´s hands are leaning against his shoulders.
Then you can turn the casualty slowly on his back with the help of more
rescuers.
ATTENTION! Casualty´s spine must stay in the same line all the time while
turning!
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Summary
do not move with the casualty if it is not necessary
your own safety first and call EMS
if the casualty:
- is breathing normally→ leave him in the same position and check
vital signs
- is not breathing normally→ turn him on his back and start CPR
When should I move with the casualty?
→ i.e. CPR, danger, severe bleeding, unable to check the vital
functions (consciousness, breathing)
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Learning outcomes
Student is able to distinguish when it is necessary to move with
the casualty and when it is not.
Student knows how to move with the casualty correctly and safely.
Zápatí prezentace11
Resources
̶ FA-CPR-AED-Part-Manual.pdf [online] [cit. 22.08.2020].
Available from:
https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/atg/PHSS_UX_Content/FA-
CPR-AED-Part-Manual.pdf
̶ Spinal injury: First aid. In: Mayo Clinic [online] [cit. 22.08.2020].
Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-spinal-
injury/basics/art-20056677
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Thank you for your attention.
Simulation Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University
2020