Spinal injury: assessment and initial management

Recommendation ID: NG41/2
Question: Cervical spine dislocation:- What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of emergency reduction of cervical spine dislocations following acute traumatic cervical spine injury?
Any explanatory notes (if applicable): Why this is important:- Half of all traumatic spinal cord injuries involve the cervical spinal cord, and a large proportion of these are caused by cervical spine dislocation. Cervical spinal cord injury caused by traumatic cervical spine dislocation produces permanent disability. The greater the permanent neurological impairment the greater the disability. A high level of disability is associated with less independence, fewer opportunities for a full life, reduced prospects for employment and a shorter life expectancy. Any intervention that improves the neurological outcome in this group of people will improve all of these adverse outcomes.

Source guidance details

Is this a recommendation for the use of a technology only in the context of research?	No
Is it a recommendation that suggests collection of data or the establishment of a register?	No
Last Reviewed	29/02/2016