July/August 2008 ISSN-1059-6518 Volume 21 Number 4

SPINAL CORD INJURY MANAGEMENT

Pre-hospital personnel are trained to treat all possible spinal cord injuries based primarily on the Mechanism of Injury (MOI), as well as signs and symptoms.

It is equally important in the wild environment for rescue personnel and responders not only to be able to recognize a possible back injury based on MOI, but to be able to rule it out (to “clear the spine”) by a taking a proper history and performing a physical exam. Clearing the spine allows the patient to get up, walk out, and avoid an unnecessary litter evacuation.

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