Which age range is listed as an indication for spinal motion restriction?

Which age range is listed as an indication for spinal motion restriction?

• A. Age less than 3 years or greater than 65 years
• B. Age between 20 and 40
• C. Age between 3 and 65
• D. Age over 80

Answer: (A)

Spinal motion restriction is used when there’s a potential for cervical spine injury and we want to limit movement to protect the spinal cord during assessment and transport. Age extremes are singled out because these groups are both more vulnerable to cervical injuries and less able to reliably participate in an exam or maintain proper alignment. In younger children, especially under 3, the head is large relative to the body and the neck is more susceptible to injury with trauma; cooperation for a thorough cervical exam is limited, so immobilization helps prevent secondary injury while evaluation proceeds. In older adults, typically over 65, bone density is lower and degenerative changes are common, so even low-energy trauma can cause cervical fractures or instability; immobilization provides a precautionary measure until injury can be ruled out. Thus, listing those age ranges as indications recognizes the higher risk and diagnostic uncertainty in these groups, making them the best choice for automatic spinal motion restriction.

Spinal motion restriction is used when there’s a potential for cervical spine injury and we want to limit movement to protect the spinal cord during assessment and transport. Age extremes are singled out because these groups are both more vulnerable to cervical injuries and less able to reliably participate in an exam or maintain proper alignment.

In younger children, especially under 3, the head is large relative to the body and the neck is more susceptible to injury with trauma; cooperation for a thorough cervical exam is limited, so immobilization helps prevent secondary injury while evaluation proceeds. In older adults, typically over 65, bone density is lower and degenerative changes are common, so even low-energy trauma can cause cervical fractures or instability; immobilization provides a precautionary measure until injury can be ruled out.

Thus, listing those age ranges as indications recognizes the higher risk and diagnostic uncertainty in these groups, making them the best choice for automatic spinal motion restriction.