What is the main risk associated with moving a patient with a suspected spine injury?

Moving a patient with a suspected spine injury poses significant risks, the most critical of which is aggravating the existing injury. Spinal injuries can lead to severe complications, including paralysis if the spinal cord is compromised. Movement can exacerbate the injury by causing additional trauma to the spinal structures or the surrounding tissues, potentially leading to irreversible damage. The primary concern is maintaining stability and minimizing any movement to protect the spinal cord during transport.

Other risks, such as increasing pain and discomfort or causing decreased consciousness, may occur as well, but they are secondary to the primary concern of worsening the spinal injury itself. Misdiagnosing the injury is also a possibility, but this does not inherently change the risk linked to movement; the focus remains on preventing further harm. The main principle in managing suspected spinal injuries is to keep the patient as still as possible until professional medical assistance can take over.