The value of postural reduction in the initial management of closed injuries of the spine with paraplegia and tetraplegia

Six hundred and twelve patients with closed spinal injuries are described. The incidence of various types of fracture and fracture-dislocation and the degree of reduction achieved by postural reduction is analysed in relation to the initial and late neurological lesions. The average time that the patients were kept in bed is given for the various types of skeletal injury. Only 4 patients developed late instability of the spine.