Utility of bedside assessment to evaluate for cervical-spine fracture post ground-level fall for patients 65 years and older

The effectiveness of current assessment tools for cervical fracture are mixed with respect to elderly patients. This study from HIP Investigator Dr. Brian Patterson aimed to examine utility of history and physical exam to assess for cervical fracture for elderly patients suffering a ground-level fall.This was a retrospective observational study using electronic health record data.

For older patients suffering a ground-level fall without neurologic findings, they observed that an absence of external trauma above the clavicles, AMS, and cervical spinal tenderness was 100% sensitive for the absence of cervical fracture. As such, these findings may suggest that clinical assessment is possible in this age group with this specific mechanism of injury.