A review of cervical spine injuries with neurological dysfunction

The authors have studied 193 cases of cervical injury with tetraparesis or paralysis in a similar way to a previous study completed in 1973 (Bedbrook 1973). Comparison with three other centres, Stoke Mandeville, Tokushima and South West Region has shown similarities and regional dissimilarities--for example in aetiology. Only in cases with bilateral facet dislocation was reduction considered to have any effect on neurological recovery in all four geographical areas. The observations recorded strengthen the view that the result of the neurological injury is largely determined at the time of the accident.