In three pages this paper examines various techniques that can be employed to stabilize the spine. Three sources are cited in the bibliography.
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trauma situations or when an injury has occurred, it is important to understand the pre-hospital methods of spine stabilization (Spinal Trauma, 2003). It is ideal to create a situation
where the patients spine is immobilized in a neutral position on a firm surface (Spinal Trauma, 2003). This can best be achieved either manually and/or with the help of
a semi-rigid surgical collar which has side head supports and strapping (Spinal Trauma, 2003). "Strapping should be applied to the shoulders and pelvis as well as the head to
prevent the neck becoming the center of rotation of the body" (Spinal Trauma, 2003). In cases where a person needs
to be extracted from something, most likely a vehicle, then the use of rescue boards is very beneficial (Spinal Trauma, 2003). It is also possible to transfer patients on
a scoop stretcher and/or a vacuum mattress (Spinal Trauma, 2003). There are few (if any) instances when the use of a short spine board and/or spinal extrication devices would
be beneficial in terms of pre-hospital situations (Spinal Trauma, 2003). Once the patient has been transferred to a hospital, the
spine board should be removed as soon as possible, but only after the patient is on a firm trolley (Spinal Trauma, 2003). The reason for this is that prolonged
use of spine boards has been associated with pressure injuries (Spinal Trauma, 2003). Once the patient has been transferred to the trolley, they should remain entirely immobile (Spinal Trauma,
2003). If restraints have been removed for any reason then it is prudent to re-introduce them now (Spinal Trauma, 2003).