Neurologic Complications of Trauma to the Spine, Spinal Cord, and Nerves

Abstract Trauma to the spinal cord presents first in the emergency department, but after stabilization in the field. A large number of surgical services (trauma, spine, orthopedic, neurosurgery) are immediately involved to assess the extent of injury and determine the need for emergent surgery. The role of the neurologist is initial confirmatory assessment and assistance with obtaining a detailed and full neurologic examination. Trauma to single nerves or plexus may occur and need to be recognized. This chapter provides a full overview of various types of stable and unstable spine and pelvis fractures and how to support traumatic spinal cord injury. Fat embolism to the brain is rare but important to recognize.