(i) The initial management of spinal injuries

Spinal injuries are common and are often associated with other injuries, therefore should always be suspected in the polytrauma victim. Spinal cord injury resulting from trauma can be compounded by verrors in handling, therefore the safe handling of the potentially spinal cord injured patient is of paramount importance at all stages preceding and during hospital care. The early detection of spinal injury is possible using a combination of clinical and radiological criteria, whilst safe initial management before transfer to a designated spinal injury unit consists of spinal immobilisation using recommended protocols.