Neurological sequelae of cervical spine trauma

It is estimated that there will be 5,000 new spinal cord injured patients each year. Prolonged survival has resulted from better understanding of the pathophysiology of cord damage, as well as from the advances in antibiotic and ventilatory therapy. Most well-motivated patients with lesions at or below C5 can attain a level of independence which obviates institutional care. Regional spinal injury centers have done much to increase the survival of and quality of life of cord injured patients. These realities make initial care of patients with acute traumatic lesions of the cervical spine of paramount importance. Neurologic function at both the nerve root and cord levels can be adversely affected by excessive motion of the unstable spine. Early evaluation of X-rays must therefore be carried out in an attempt to determine the stability of the spine.