When should SMR be applied during the spinal injury assessment?

The application of Spinal Motion Restriction (SMR) is essential when conducting a spinal injury assessment. It is indicated specifically when any assessment reveals abnormal findings. This is because abnormal findings could suggest the possibility of a spinal injury, and applying SMR helps in preventing further injury by minimizing movement during transport and treatment.

The primary goal of SMR is to stabilize the spine and prevent any potential exacerbation of an existing injury. When assessments show abnormalities, such as pain, tenderness, motor function deficits, or sensory changes, the risk of spinal injury is significantly increased, necessitating a precautionary approach.

In contrast, if assessments are completely normal, there is usually no need for SMR, as it can be safely determined that there is no immediate threat to the spinal integrity of the patient. Additionally, relying solely on a patient's request or assessing their ability to cooperate without considering abnormal findings would not be prudent, as these factors alone do not adequately evaluate the risk of spinal injury. Thus, only applying SMR based on the presence of abnormal findings ensures patient safety during the assessment process.