Acute spinal cord injury

Acute spinal cord injuries may arise due to blunt injuries or to penetrating trauma, such as stab or gunshot injuries. The severity of injury varies both in terms of neurological segmental level, and the sensorimotor pattern of neurological deficit (ASIA category). The initial ATLS assessment of all trauma patients includes a thorough neurological examination to identify acute spinal cord injury. Their management requires discussion with a dedicated spinal injuries unit, and, if appropriate, transfer for specialist care. Spinal injuries units have multidisciplinary teams that can manage the medical and surgical aspects of patient care together with nursing expertise to avoid decubitus ulceration and other complications of spinal cord injury, and a full rehabilitation team to manage the physical, social, financial, and emotional aspects of rehabilitation.