Abstract
About 1/3 of Americans age ≥65 yo fall annually. Studies have demonstrated that the rate of cervical spine injury (CSI) among these patients is low. Physicians have been reluctant to use NEXUS criteria to rule out CSI in these patients, as it performs less well in older patients. There is also debate as to what constitutes “distracting injury” and “normal mentation” in NEXUS criteria, especially in a population with significant cognitive decline. This study sought to determine whether a modified set of NEXUS criteria using “signs of trauma to the head or neck” as the definition for “distracting injury” and “patient at their baseline mental status” as the definition for “normal mentation” were sensitive or specific for cervical spine injury in geriatric fall patients.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
