Following a Constitutional Court judgement made in 2015, there is now a legal precedent to support a four-hour cut-off time for the reduction of low velocity cervical vertebra dislocations.

Currently in South Africa, it may be challenging to find the most appropriate medical units or hospitals to take the patient so as to secure treatment within four hours.

Time is everything, as successful reduction within this period can substantially increase the patient’s chances of a less severe disability or can even assist in ensuring full recovery, where the situation and extent of injury allows for it.

Treatment of spinal cord injuries focuses on preserving the spinal cord and nerve roots, restoring the spinal canal to relieve any compression, re-establishing spinal stability, and regaining as much function as possible for the injured player.

Early spinal reduction offers the best chance of neurological recovery. The in-hospital incremental closed traction reduction technique, from here on referred to as the Rapid Reduction Technique, is often safer and more successful than many alternative approaches.

To find out more about the in-hospital Rapid Reduction Technique, go to MyBokSmart Medical, complete the Rapid Reduction Technique Module, and connect with the relevant specialists.