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Spinal/neck injury    See images

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Neck/spinal injury

Definition:

Injury to the spinal cord in the neck or back.

Considerations

When someone has a spinal injury, additional movement may cause further damage to the spine. The purpose of first aid is to prevent further harm to the victim, until you can obtain medical help.

If in doubt about whether a person has received a spinal injury, assume he or she has.

A spinal cord injury is very serious because it can mean the loss of sensation and function in the parts of the body below the site of the injury.

Causes

• Awkward positioning of the body
• Bullet or stab wound
• Direct trauma to the face, neck, head or back
• Diving accident
• Electric shock
• Exertion
• Twisting of the trunk

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