Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

8 Muscle, Bone and Joint Injuries

Spinal Injury The bony structure of the spine houses the spinal cord and the nerves that branch out to the body. Any injury to the spine can affect the spinal cord or nerves and complete and permanent loss of sensation with paralysis can occur. The cervical, thoracic and lumbar portions of the spine can be injured in a number of ways. Compression injury can happen in a fall no matter if the patient landed on their feet, coccyx, or head. Vehicular accidents or other trauma can overextend, flex, and rotate the spine. Any unnatural motion can cause fractures or other impairment.

Cervical Spine (Neck) C1 - C7

Thoracic Spine (Mid Back) T1 - T12

Lumbar Spine (Lower Back) L1 - L5

Sacral and Coccyx

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