Neck injuries: urgent decisions and actions.
When a neck injury is suspected, the on-site physician must first provide basic trauma care, which includes establishing an airway as necessary, assessing breathing, and checking circulation and neurologic compromise. A few targeted questions during history taking and a directed physical exam will help rule out serious cervical injuries, which are uncommon. More common are minor injuries, such as "burners." Team physicians must also be well-versed in immobilizing and transporting the patient, administering a thorough neurologic exam, and establishing when the athlete can return to competition.
Wiesenfarth
J
J
Department of Emergency Medicine, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, 48073, USA.
Briner
W
W