This video discusses the assessment, prognostication and management of the pet presented after spinal cord trauma (accidental or non-accidental; this video does not include non-traumatic intervertebral disc disease because I cover that in separate videos).
I discuss the vital tests for assessing neurological status and more importantly how to interpret your findings so that you can give a meaningful prognosis to the caregivers. I show you how to assess whether a spinal fracture is likely to be unstable and whether it can be managed non-surgically or if referral for surgical management is preferred.
You may be surprised that I do not discuss giving corticosteroids like dexamethasone or prednisolone - this is because they are not indicated for spinal cord trauma. There is little or no evidence that they make a difference to the neurological outcome, and they can result in many possible complications.
0:00 Introduction
1:08 Approach to spinal trauma
2:23 Taking a history
7:08 Are there other injuries?
8:14 Establish a prognosis
14:37 Are the spinal reflexes intact?
19:21 Spinal shock - not a prognostic indicator
20:26 Obtaining diagnostic imaging
24:24 Is the spinal injury unstable?
26:40 Non surgical management
29:17 Surgical management
32:02 Physiotherapy
#vertebral_fracture, #vertebral_dislocation, #deep_pain_perception, #panniculus, #cutaneous_trunci_reflex, #spinal_shock, #non-surgical_management, #radiographs, #vertebral_luxation, #splint, #CT, #MRI, spinal_injury #spinal_trauma