trauma

Last reviewed 01/2018

Traumatic paraplegia most commonly results from road traffic accidents, followed by domestic, industrial and diving accidents.

Of prime importance for a good outcome is the care at the scene of the accident. If circumstances permit, the patient with suspected spinal injury should only be moved by five or more people with a paramedic or medic in attendance. All parts of the patient should be supported so that the body is moved in one piece.

The frequency of damage at the different neurological levels is: cervical > thoracic > lumbar

Ref: Essential Neurology, Wilkinson, I.M.S., 1993, 2nd edition, Blackwell Scientific Publications, p.126