Question

You are dispatched for a fall at the local mall. When you arrive you are led by security to a location on the sidewalk where a 43-year-old male patient is lying on his back. He is alert and oriented and tells you that he was running to cross in front of a car when he tripped on the curb, striking his head on the sidewalk. He then rolled onto his back and can NO longer move his hands, legs, or trunk, although he can still move his arms. At what spinal level has his injury likely occurred?

1) Midthoracic
2) Low cervical or high thoracic
3) Midcervical
4) High thoracic

Answer 1

The level of spinal injury in the described scenario is likely at the low cervical or high thoracic region, considering the loss of movement in the patient's hands, legs, and trunk, while retaining the ability to move his arms.

Step-by-step explanation:

Identifying The Level of Spinal Injury

Based on the description of the injury where a 43-year-old male patient cannot move his hands, legs, or trunk, but can still move his arms, suggests a spinal level injury at the low cervical or high thoracic region. This range is significant because the cervical section of the spinal cord gives rise to the nerves that control the arms, while the thoracic and lower sections influence the function of the trunk and legs. Therefore, since the arms' movement is still preserved, it could indicate that the injury is likely below the nerves controlling arm movement, yet high enough to affect the trunk and leg function, placing the probable level of injury around the lower cervical or upper thoracic region on the spinal cord.

It's crucial for emergency responders to stabilize and transport patients with potential spinal injuries without causing further damage. In the scenario described on the sidewalk, immediate medical evaluation and imaging would be necessary to confirm the exact level and extent of the spinal injury and to initiate appropriate treatment and rehabilitation.