Initial Assessment and Management of Patients with Spinal Cord Injury

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES@#To summarize the most up-to-date information on the initial management and neurological examination of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI).SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW Secondary injuries result from acute pathophysiological processes such as bleeding, hypoperfusion, inflammation, necrosis, and apoptosis around neural elements that initially survive a mechanical injury.@*MATERIALS AND METHODS@#Orthopedic surgeons must be familiar with the anatomy of the spinal cord and the initial management of a patient with SCI. A detailed neurological examination in accordance with the International Standards for the Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury is a prerequisite. It is important to distinguish between spinal shock and neurogenic shock, which are characteristic phenomena in patients with SCI.@*RESULTS@#Rapid realignment of the spine and proper medical management to avoid hypoperfusion are important in the overall care of a patient with SCI.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Patients with SCI should be managed and treated properly to enable them to return home and to their work as soon as possible.