Bone, Muscle & Joint Injuries 7.2 Spinal Injuries


The spinal column is part of the Central Nervous System along with the brain. The spine is made up of vertebrae (bones), discs, soft tissues and the spinal cord. The purpose of the spine is to protect the spinal cord and aid movement. As a first aider it is very important that you are aware of spinal injuries and the possible damage caused. When suspecting a spinal injury you need to take into account the mechanism of the injury, which means how the injury occurred.


Possible Causes of Spinal Injuries - Falling from height - Falling from a horse or moving vehicle - Falling awkwardly - Collapsed rugby scrum - Injury to the head or face - Heavy object falling across the back - Diving into a shallow swimming pool and hitting the bottom


Recognition of Spinal Cord Damage - Loss of control of limbs - Loss of movement - Breathing difficulty - Abnormal sensations – tingling, pins & needles, burning - Loss of bladder control


Recognition of Damage to the


Vertebrae or Discs - Pain at the site of the injury - A twist or step in the normal shape of the spine - Bruising or tenderness at the injury site


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