1. Spinal Motion Restriction
Presence Regional EMS System
July 2014 C.E.

2. Objectives Review spinal anatomy and physiology
List the mechanisms of injury that cause a high index of suspicion for the possibility of spine injury.
Outline the steps of patient assessment of spine injury

3. Objectives
Discuss the decision making process regarding Spinal Motion Restriction (SMR)
•Mechanisms of injury indicating need for SMR
•Emergency Rescue and Rapid Extrication
•History and assessment indicating no need for SMR
•Special situations indicating need for alteration of SMR
Demonstrate the process of application of SMR
Describe potential complications of Spinal Motion Restriction

4. Anatomy of the Human Spine
The human spine consists of 33 vertebrae
Are divided up into separate regions
Cervical region consists of 7 vertebrae
Thoracic region consists of 12 vertebrae
Lumber region consists of 5 vertebrae
Sacral region consists of 5 fused vertebrae
Coccygeal region consists of 4 fused vertebrae
Can be identified by region and location; i.e. T1 being the top vertebrae in the Thoracic region and C3 being the third vertebrae from the top of the Cervical region

5. Anatomy of the Human Spine
Cervical, Thoracic, and Lumber vertebrae are separated by intervertebral discs allowing for movement independent of other vertebrae
Sacral and Coccygeal vertebrae are fused and have no range of movement independent of the other bones of the structure

6. Cervical Spine
Consists of 7 vertebrae separated by intervertebral discs
Known as C1 (Superior Cervical Vertebrae) to C7 (Inferior Cervical Vertebrae)
Top Cervical vertebrae (C1) is known as the Atlas
This is the vertebrae connecting the head to the spine
Second vertebrae (C2) is known as the Axis
Supports the Atlas and allows the Atlas to pivot
Cervical region allows for movement of the head and neck

7. Thoracic Spine
Consists of 12 vertebrae separated by intervertebral discs
Known as T1 (Superior Thoracic Vertebrae) to T12 (Inferior Thoracic Vertebrae
Have facets on either side of the vertebrae that allow for interaction with the ribs
Increase in size gradually from T1 to T12

8. Lumbar Spine Consists of 5 vertebrae separated by intervertebral discs
Known as L1 (Superior Lumbar Vertebrae) to L5 (Inferior Lumbar Vertebrae)
Largest vertebrae of the spinal column
Support the weight of the body and allow for movement

9. Sacral and Coccygeal Spine
Consists of 5 fused vertebrae (Sacral) and 4 fused vertebrae (Coccygeal)
Sacral region starts are 5 unfused bones that have fused into the Sacrum by the mid-30s
Sacral region is the base of the spine and allows for articulation with the pelvis
Coccygeal region (Coccyx) is below the Sacral region; serves a function as an attachment for various tendons, ligaments, and muscles
Coccygeal region also allows for support for sitting

11. Functions of the Spinal Column
Supports structure for the human body
Spinal canal of vertebrae is hollow and houses the primary route of the nervous system to the body, commonly referred to as the spinal cord
Provide structure for attachment of
muscles, tendons, and ligament
needed for movement

12. Types of Injury to the Spinal Column
Hyperextension – excessive posterior movement of the head or neck
Hyperflexion – excessive anterior movement of the head or neck
Compression – weight of head or pelvis driven into stationary neck or torso
Rotation – excessive rotation of the torso or head and neck, moving one side of the spinal column against the next
Lateral stress – direct lateral force on spinal column, typically shearing one level of cord from another
Distraction – excessive stretching of column and cord

14. Mechanism of Injury
The force that causes injury to the spinal column or cord
Must be a factor in patient assessment of possible spinal column injuries
Common mechanisms are automobile accidents, falls, and other blunt force traumas
Err on side of patient; if mechanism is unknown assume that there was enough force to cause an injury to the spinal column

15. Examples of Mechanism of Injury
A fall where a patient lands on their feet is likely to cause a compression injury
Automobile accidents with frontal collision is likely to cause both hyperextension and hyper-flexion due to the forces exerted onto the neck and spine
A hanging is likely to cause a Distraction injury due to vertebrae being pulled apart by gravity

16. Law of Conservation of Energy
States that energy cannot be destroyed, but can only be transferred or transformed
Applies to all mechanisms of injury
Spinal column is prone to injury due to it’s role as a supporting structure for the rest of the body
Energy from mechanism of injury can be transferred to spinal column, producing spinal injury

17. Assessment of Spinal Column
Consider Mechanism of Injury
If unknown and patient is unresponsive use SMR to protect Patients spinal column
Assess for DCAPP-BLS-TIC of spinal column
Look for Deformities, Contusions, Abrasions, Punctures, Penetration, Burns, Lacerations, Swelling, Tenderness, Instability, and Crepitus.
Assess PMS of patients extremities
Assess for Pulse, Movement, and Sensation of all extremities to rule out neurological or cardiovascular damage

18. Assessment of Spinal Column
Maintain manual control of C-spine during assessment of patient
Assessment of patient’s neck should take place prior to placement of a cervical collar
Assessment of patient’s spinal column/back should take place during log roll to backboard or prior to placement into a short backboard (KED)
Reassess PMS following placement into full Spinal-Motion-Restriction
Priapism (male erection) is an indication of spinal cord injury

19. Terms to remember
SMR: Spinal Motion Restrict – use of a cervical collar and backboard device to provide cervical-spine stabilization
PMS: Pulse, Movement, Sensation – assessed on extremities to check and recheck neurological and cardiovascular condition of patient
C-Spine: Cervical Spine
C-Collar: Cervical Collar

20. Consider SMR based on Mechanism
Suspect Spinal Column Injury with any of the following mechanisms of injury:
Motor Vehicle Crashes
Pedestrian vs vehicle
Falls
Blunt Force Trauma
Penetrating Trauma to the head, neck, or torse
Motorcycle Crashes
Hangings
Diving Accidents
Recreational accidents; i.e. ATV, waterskiing, snowboarding

21. Emergency Rescue
The method of extrication from a scene or vehicle when there is an immediate life threat to the patient and/or the EMS Provider
Attempt to move patient and providers out of harms way as quickly as possible
Does not provide much, if any, control of cervical-spine
Used if cases of fire, hazardous materials, or other potentially deadly threats

22. Emergency Rescue
To perform with one provider, ensure that patients legs will not become entangled
Place arms under patient’s armpits and use hands to grab the wrist of the patient’s opposite arm
Pull patient free of hazard; if available use second rescuer to grab patient’s legs
Attempt to regain control of cervical-spine once patient/EMS providers are safe

23. Rapid Extrication
Used to loosely control cervical-spine movement and move patient from a seated position in a vehicle to a backboard rapidly
Used for the following situations:
The vehicle or scene is unsafe
The patient cannot properly be assessed before removal from the vehicle
The patient requires immediately interventions
The patients condition requires immediate transport
The patient position blocks assess to another critical patient

24. Rapid Extrication
The first rescuer still provides manual cervical-spine stabilization, often from the back or side of the patient
The second rescuer serves as the team leader, applies the cervical collar, and moves the patients body onto the backboard
Third rescuer moves the patients lower extremities during rotation
Other rescuers can assist in movement and support

25. Rapid Extrication
Begin by obtaining manual cervical-spine stabilization
Place cervical collar onto patient
Use minimum three rescuers to rotate patient 90 degrees using short movements and keeping patients spine straight
Place backboard between the patient’s buttocks and seat once rotated
Move patient as a unit back onto backboard and into proper position; coordinate to maintain cervical-spine control

26. Special Situations
Not all patients will be able to tolerate Spinal Motion Restriction
Infants, Pediatric, Bariatric, and Geriatric patients may require alternative methods of SMR
Use padding and equipment available to maintain neutral alignment of cervical-spine
Spinal Motion Restriction may not be possible with patients who have impaled objects

27. Special Situations Patients with helmets require special consideration
Athletic Helmets should be removed when:
Face mask cannot be removed in a timely fashion
Airway cannot be controlled
It does not hold the head securely
It prevents stabilization
Shoulder pads should be removed:
With helmet removal
When it does not support neutral alignment
When it impedes securing the patient to a backboard
When access to the chest is required

28. Special Situations Motorcycle helmets should be removed when:
The helmet is poorly fitted to patient and allows for movement of head inside the helmet
When it causes flexion of the neck
The patients airway needs to be monitored

29. ALS Spinal Clearance Protocol
Region 6 Allows Advanced Providers to perform spinal clearance in order to deem a patient exempt from requiring SMR
Patient must meet criteria:
Must be over 12 years of age but less than 75 years of age
Must not have chronic neck pain
Must have Glascow Coma Scale of 15
Cannot be complaining of neck or back pain
Must not complain of tenderness upon palpation of spine
Cannot have a distracting injury; i.e. injured extremity or burns
Must be free of drugs or alcohol
Must be able to move freely without pain or neurological compromise

30. Application of SMR
Application of SMR should be based on the circumstances of the call: patients will be immobilized differently based upon how they are found.
Log roll technique should be used for patient found laying supine or prone
Patients found seated should first be immobilized to a short backboard in order to maintain control of cervical-spine
Standing patients should be stood against a backboard with a rescuer holding manual c-spine, then lowered to a supine position

31. Log Roll Technique
First rescuer takes manual inline stabilization at the head; this rescuer directs movement of colleagues
Second rescuer applies c-collar after checking the back of the neck while a third rescuer places a backboard beside the patient
Keeping the cervical-spine inline, the patient is rolled onto an uninjured side, their back is palpated to assess for spinal column injuries, and the backboard is brought into place in the position the patient was formerly in

32. Log Roll Technique
Keeping the Cervical-Spine inline, the patient is rotated back onto their back, this time in position on a backboard
They are secured to the backboard first by the torso then legs; the head is secured last
Patient pulses, movement, and
sensations are reassessed

33. SMR for the Seated Patient
The first rescuer will gain access to patient and take manual cervical stabilization
A second rescuer will apply a cervical collar after assessment of the neck
Next a short spine board will be placed between the patient’s back and the seat; palpate the spine for injuries at this time
Secure the patient to a short spine board; first use the torso straps, then the leg stirrups, and finally pad behind and secure the head

34. SMR for the Seated Patient
Moving the patient as a unit, rotate and move the patient onto a long backboard
Secure patient to backboard as you would normally do
DO NOT attempt to remove the short backboard from the patient

35. SMR for the Standing Patient
First rescuer comes behind the patient and obtains manual inline stabilization
Second rescuer applies C-Collar following assessment of neck
Third rescuer places patient against board following palpation of patient’s spine
The second and third rescuer place their arms under the armpits of the patient and grab onto the backboard

36. SMR for the Standing Patient
Moving as a unit, the patient is lowered to the supine position
Patient should now be secured to the backboard following standard procedures
Reassess PMS

37. Potential Complications of SMR
SMR may cause airway compromise due to the head and neck being in a fixed position
SMR can cause head and back pain due to position on the hard spine board
Obese patients and patients with certain illnesses may not tolerate backboards: Assess for hypoxia
Application of SMR may increase amount of time on scene; ensure that SMR will benefit your patient
Poor application of SMR may be detrimental to patient; reassess PMS prior to and following SMR

40. Review
If doing this CE individually, please your answers to:
Use “July 2014 CE” in subject box.
IDPH site code: E-1214
You will receive an confirmation. Print this confirmation for your records and document in your PREMSS CE record book.
Determine the Mechanism of Injury and decide whether or not SMR is needed

41. 25 y/o male found unresponsive

42. 55 y/o driver c/o neck pain

43. 35 y/o complaining of chronic back pain

44. 43 y/o male hanging

45. Restrained driver unconscious

46. GSW to chest with no exit wound

47. 76 y/o female c/o right hip pain

48. Water-skier struck by speedboat

49. Skateboarder c/o right shoulder pain

50. Answers
25 y/o male should have full spinal motion restriction due to unknown MOI
55 y/o driver should have full spinal motion restriction based on damage to care and chief complaint
35 y/o does not require SMR due to no MOI
43 y/o hanging victim requires full SMR
Driver requires Emergency Rescue then SMR when in a safe area

51. Answers GSW victim does not require SMR per ITLS standards
76 y/o female requires SMR due to possible injuries sustained in fall; hip pain can be viewed as a distracting injury
Water-skier requires SMR due to blunt force trauma to back
Skateboarder does not require SMR due to isolated injury