A serious injury to the head and neck calls for immediate medical evaluation for the possibility of a spinal injury. It should be assumed that the victim has a spinal injury unless proved otherwise since:
- The signs of a serious spinal injury may not always be immediately obvious. If not recognized, a more severe injury may occur.
- Numbness or paralysis may occur immediately or gradually as bleeding or swelling occurs in or around the spinal cord.
- The time between injury and treatment is critical to determine the severity of complications and the extent of expected recovery.
