When must manual c-spine stabilization be maintained?

Manual cervical spine (c-spine) stabilization is crucial in managing any patient suspected of having a spinal injury. This is particularly important until further assessment can definitively rule out the need for spinal motion restriction. By maintaining manual stabilization, you minimize the risk of any potential movement of the cervical spine, which could exacerbate an injury.

Once a thorough assessment has been conducted — considering mechanisms of injury, symptoms, and neurological status — and if there are no indications of spinal injury, it is appropriate to transition to other forms of spinal motion restriction, such as the use of a rigid cervical collar or backboard. This ensures the patient is protected throughout the entirety of their treatment and transport, particularly until spinal integrity is confirmed or ruled out through thorough clinical findings.