The emergency room physician will check for movement or sensation at or below your level of injury, as well as proper breathing, responsiveness, and weakness. Emergency medical tests for a spinal cord injury include:
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) produces detailed three-dimensional images of body structures, including tissues, organs, bones, and nerves. It can show brain and spinal trauma from injury, herniated discs (cartilage located between the vertebrae), vascular (blood vessel) irregularities, bleeding, inflammation that might compress the spine and spinal cord, and injury to the ligaments that support the cervical spine.
Computerized tomography (CT) provides rapid, clear two-dimensional images of organs, bones, and tissues. CT can detect bone fractures, bleeding, and spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal).
X-rays show two-dimensional images of most parts of the body, such as a joint or major organ system. Misalignment of or fracture to vertebrae can be seen within minutes.