falls from a height

see also:

• trauma

• patients presenting after a fall from a height are at high risk of important injuries
• a fall of 3m or more is an indication for a ED major trauma call
• patients should be managed as per Mx of the major trauma patient

• head injury
• spine injury
  • cervical spine injury
  • compression wedge fracture of thoraco-lumbar spine
  • Chance fracture if acute severe flexion of spine - uncommon
• chest wall injury
• blunt abdominal trauma
• bilateral fracture calcaneum
• fracture pelvis