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undergo a neurological examination, several x-rays of the head and spine, as well as scans (CT, MRI) if an area seems likely to have sustained injury.
IN THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT
If a spine injury is present, the patient will most likely be sent to the Intensive Care Unit and put in a rotating bed. Beds of this kind swing from side to side. They usually provide the best stability for the spine and decrease the chances of complications such as pneumonia, deep vein thrombosis in the legs, and subsequent pulmonary embolism. If the spine is out of alignment, some traction device may be used to try to realign it.
Although decompressing (to take the pressure off the spinal cord or nerve roots) and stabilizing surgery may be done immediately, in many instances it is delayed for a few days until everything stabilizes and the patient is out of the very critical initial period. The various treatment options will then be discussed with the patient and/or family.
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