Show Spinal Injuries I By Dy HAROLD Note Dr is Clinical Clinical Clinical Clini Clini- cal Assistant Professor ProCessor of Radiology at the School of Medicine 1 University of the State of oC New York He is also a Fellow of the American Ameri Ameri- can College of Radiology and vice ice chairman of the colleges college's Commission o 0 n Medical Care c e Plans He is Director of the Department of oC Radiology at the Adelphi and Unit Unity Hospitals in New York Cit City At one time brok broken n neck or broken almost almost almost al al- al- al most certain death or at least a lingering disability With the discovery of the ray x-ray and development of radiological radiological radiological ra ra- ra- ra examinations however however how how- ever ever breaks in the Jjones bones of the spine spine were cic- cic cico found o C i tor r be befar befar be far fir more no e. e frequent DJ than han was previously believed No Now w minor minor minor mi mi- nor as well as serious spinal injuries can be recognized and treated This is very important import import- i ant because occasionally even evena a minor injury if untreated can result in serious ty ANY INJURY to the spine is serious because many vital structures particularly the spinal cord and the brain are arc close to these bones Proper first aid treatment is particularly important in spinal injuries It can save a alife alife life On the other hand Ive I've where improper improper improper im im- seen man many cases proper handling by well mean ing rescuers has bas caused serious complications in spinal injuries Complete immobilization immobilization immobilization of the fractured area Is necessary to avoid damage to the surrounding tissues PEOPLE WITH WIT spine injury injury in in- jur jury p must be moved mo only when lying on a flat board and with a minimum of m ma m. t- t If the injury is h near the neck the neck should be held absolutely still Sinco the first person to reach a victim vie vic tim of oC a spinal injury is il usually usually usual usual- ly either a member of th the the- family Camily or a t passerby It Is fr important that everyone Understand understand understand un Un- these life say i n g x techniques of immobilization Once the injured person has reached the hospital an x-ray x examination by the ra radiologist radiologist radiologist ra- ra will wm help to show how much damage has occurred Then the surgeon arranges the proper supports a and n d braces to hold the tissues In proper position while t the h e bones are arc healing After Arter the patient has recovered careful studies including ray x-ray examinations examinations exam- exam will be made to determine determine determine de de- termine the extent of the damage damage dam dam- age to the tho vital nervous structures tures lures in the area and aDd the poss possibilities possibilities pos pos- for further treatment to bring about complete cry ery |