The Starship Hospital Spine Service also treats children with fractures of the bones in the spine or injuries to the spinal cord.  Usually, children are admitted acutely through the Emergency Department or are transferred from another hospital.  Children with ongoing disability will require extensive rehabilitation.  The Spine Service work closely with the Rehabilitation Service based at Wilson Centre For Children to achieve this.  Older adolescents may be managed by the Auckland Spine Unit.

Treatment

Treatment varies depending on where in the spine the injury occurred as well as severity of the injury.  Some injuries will require surgery with metal rods and screws to stabilise the spine while others may only require a brace.  The aim of all treatments is to prevent movement of the bones in the spine while they heal and to protect the spine cord from damage.

• Aspen Collar (PDF, 46.8 KB)
• Minerva Jacket / Cervical Thoracic Jacket (PDF, 50.7 KB)
• Philadelphia Collar (PDF, 49.6 KB)