Cervical Spine Motion Restriction After Blunt Trauma.

Abstract

Spinal immobilization or spinal motion restriction after blunt trauma is a routine practice and standard care in most settings due to fear of movement causing or worsening spinal cord injury. This is ingrained in guidelines for trauma management. Immobilization is typically performed with backboards, cervical collars, sandbags, straps, and vacuum mattresses. The aim of these interventions is to restrict mobility in order to prevent secondary spinal cord injury during extrication and transport. However, the benefits of this approach are unclear while harms are common.