Three point immbilization of suspected cervical spine injury

Three point immbilization of suspected cervical spine injury

Flowchart for cervical spine assessment

Flowchart for cervical spine assessment

Criteria for Ruling Out Cervical Spine Fractures on a Clinical Basis


1) No H/O Neck Pain
2) No Midline neck tenderness on palpation
3) No H/o of loss of consciousness
4) No mental status changes resulting from trauma, alcohol, drugs, etc.
5) No symptoms referable to a neck injury, such as paralysis, sensory changes (including transitory symptoms now resolved)
6) Patient has no other distracting painful injuries, such as fractured ankle, fractured ribs, etc.

Adequate cervical spine radigraph series


1) True lateral view
2) An anteroposterior view
3) Open-mouth odontoid view

Adequate Cervical spine view

Adequate Cervical spine view

Review of lateral radiograph


Lateral view should be reviewed first
Adequate:All seven of the cervical vertebrae and upper border of T1
If not adequate then reapeat X ay wwith traction over the shoulder/Swimmer’s view/ CT scan depending on hospital protocol or clinical judgement.