Emergency War Surgery NATO Handbook: Part IV: Regional Wounds and Injuries: Chapter XXXIII: Wounds and Injuries of the Spinal Column and Cord

Initial Management of the Thoracic-Lumbar Regions

United States Department of Defense
Peer Review Status: Internally Peer Reviewed

Casualties with thoracic-lumbar spine injuries should always be transported on long spine boards and evacuated to a center capable of managing spine injuries. The thoracic-lumbar junction is notoriously unstable following injury. Short spine boards are unsatisfactory for evacuation because they provide insufficient thoracic-lumbar spine protection. Closed reduction of thoraciclumbar spinal injuries above L-2 in the neurologically intact should not be attempted.

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