The Orthobullets Podcast Spine | Spinal Cord Injuries
Oct 24, 2025
Dive into the critical topic of spinal cord injuries, exploring their incidence and common causes, like car accidents and falls. Discover the fascinating distinctions between complete and incomplete injuries, alongside insights on the ASIA impairment scale. The discussion also covers urgent medical interventions, from neurogenic shock management to DVT prevention strategies. Rehabilitation goals and prognosis for various injury levels highlight the journey toward recovery. This engaging conversation offers a wealth of knowledge on spinal health and injury care!
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Bimodal Demographics And Cervical Predominance
- Spinal cord injuries show a bimodal demographic: young trauma patients and older patients with minor trauma plus degenerative narrowing.
- Half of injuries occur in the cervical spine and ~11,000 new US cases occur yearly.
Primary Versus Secondary Injury Mechanics
- Primary injury causes irreversible neural damage while secondary injury is mediated by ischemia, free radicals, and apoptosis.
- Methylprednisolone historically aimed to reduce secondary injury by improving perfusion and inhibiting lipid peroxidation.
Field Immobilization And Backboard Caution
- Immobilize suspected spinal injuries at the scene with a rigid cervical collar and firm spine board for transport.
- Remove patients from backboards when clinically safe to avoid pressure ulcers after 30–60 minutes.