The Relevance of the Occult Cervical Spine Controversy and Mechanism of Injury to Prehospital Protocols: A Review of the Issues and Literature

Abstract

Prehospital guidelines that define the clinical indications for spine trauma also serve as the criteria for selective spinal immobilization in the field. Therefore, these criteria are important for avoiding further spinal cord damage. Because some spine injuries may occur without neurological deficits or other clinical signs, the recommended field guidelines extend beyond the signs and symptoms and include mechanisms of injury or other injuries commonly associated with a high risk of spine injury.