Signs Indicating Spinal Cord Injury

Clinical Signs and Symptoms

The American College of Cardiology recommends that a person with suspected spinal cord injury should remain as still as possible and activate the emergency response system, especially if they exhibit paralysis or weakness in any part of the body, especially in the extremities 1, 2
The American College of Radiology suggests that numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation in the extremities, as well as abnormal neurologic signs including motor or sensory deficits, are indicative of spinal cord injury 3, 4
Impaired balance or coordination difficulties, as well as severe headache, are also associated with spinal cord injury, according to the American College of Cardiology 1, 5
Altered level of consciousness and not being fully alert are also symptoms of spinal cord injury, as stated by the American College of Cardiology and the American College of Radiology 1, 3, 6

The American College of Cardiology states that high-risk factors for spinal cord injury include being a driver, passenger, or pedestrian in a motor vehicle, motorized cycle, or bicycle crash, as well as falls from greater than standing height 6, 3
Age ≥65 years increases the risk of spinal cord injury, according to the American College of Cardiology and the American College of Radiology 6, 4
In children <8 years, upper cervical spine injuries are more common due to incomplete ossification, unfused synchondroses, ligamentous laxity, and large head-to-body ratio, as reported by the American College of Radiology 7

The American College of Radiology notes that SCIWORA (Spinal Cord Injury Without Radiographic Abnormality) is more common in children and is characterized by clinical symptoms of traumatic myelopathy with no radiographic or CT features of spinal fracture or instability 7
The American College of Cardiology recommends keeping the person as still as possible unless safety considerations warrant movement, and avoiding routine use of rigid cervical collars and long spine boards for spinal immobilization 1
The American College of Radiology suggests that CT is considered the gold standard for identification of spine fractures, and MRI is complementary to CT, allowing for more detailed assessment of soft tissues, ligamentous integrity, intervertebral disc injury, and spinal cord injury 5