GotoAID - Head, Neck, or Back Injury

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Head, Neck, or Back Injury

Injury to the spinal cord can result in temporary or permanent paralysis or in a life-threatening condition, such as the loss of breathing. Suspect a spinal injury when the person has been exposed to significant physical force to the head, neck, or back. Damage to the spinal bones, spinal cord, or surrounding tissue may result.

Symptoms

Altered mental status	Weakness or paralysis in any part of the body
Obvious injury to the neck, head, or back	Back pain or pressure
Loss of bladder or bowel control	Numbness, tingling, burning, or loss of sensation in the arms or legs

Steps

Activate EMS without delay.

Quickly encourage the person not to move.

Get into a comfortable position above the person’s head. Place your hands on both sides of the head to manually stabilize it and minimize movement.

Comfort, calm, and reassure the person.

Warnings

Be safe! Make sure repeated injury does not occur.

The absence of pain does not mean that a person is not injured. If you suspect a spinal injury has occurred, assume it exists!

After initial injury, movement of damaged spinal bones can result in additional damage to the spinal cord or surrounding tissue. Keep an injured person still in order to prevent further injury.

Do not remove a helmet if a spinal injury is suspected.

Tips

When caring for someone with a suspected spinal injury, establishing an airway is a higher priority than protecting an injury to the spine. Without an open and clear airway, the person will quickly die.

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