Characteristics of patients with cervical spine injury (n = 125)
| Characteristic | Number (%) |
|---|---|
| *Mean (SD) age 12.7 (2.1) years. | |
| †Mean (SD) length of stay 43.4 (14.2) hours (median 48.0). | |
| ED, Emergency department. | |
| Age* | |
| ⩽10 | 27 (22) |
| ⩾11 | 98 (78) |
| Sex | |
| M | 121 (97) |
| F | 4 (3) |
| Rugby rules | |
| Union | 99 (79) |
| League | 26 (21) |
| Mechanism of injury | |
| Flexion | 37 (30) |
| Extension | 9 (7) |
| Flexion/extension | 16 (13) |
| Distraction | 7 (6) |
| Rotation | 3 (2) |
| Hyperextension | 44 (35) |
| Unknown | 9 (7) |
| Triage category | |
| 1 | 5 (4) |
| 2 | 44 (35) |
| 3 | 52 (42) |
| 4 | 21 (17) |
| 5 | 3 (2) |
| Neck pain | |
| Yes | 115 (98) |
| No | 2 (2) |
| Concussion | |
| Yes | 29 (23) |
| No | 95 (77) |
| Neurological symptoms | |
| Yes | 53 (43) |
| No | 69 (57) |
| Other injuries | |
| Yes | 68 (54) |
| No | 57 (46) |
| Treatment at scene | |
| Yes | 96 (82) |
| No | 21 (18) |
| Clinical evaluation at ED | |
| Assessment & observation only | 20 (16) |
| Imaging | 105 (84) |
| Surgery required | |
| Yes | 0 |
| No | 125 (100) |
| Admission | |
| Yes† | 39 (31) |
| No | 86 (69) |