Spinal injury signs and symptoms

The symptoms and signs of a spinal injury depend on two factors: firstly the location of the injury and secondly, the extent of the injury – whether there is just bone injury or associated spinal cord injury, and whether the spinal cord injury is partial or complete. It will be difficult to elicit symptoms and signs in victims with an altered conscious state.

Symptoms of spinal injury include:

• pain in the injured region
• tingling, numbness in the limbs and area below the injury
• weakness or inability to move the limbs (paralysis)
• nausea
• headache or dizziness
• altered or absent skin sensation.

Signs of spinal injury include:

• head or neck in an abnormal position
• signs of an associated head injury
• altered conscious state
• breathing difficulties
• shock
• change in muscle tone, either flaccid or stiff
• loss of function in limbs
• loss of bladder or bowel control
• priapism (erection in males)