Spinal injury: assessment and initial management

Pain relief

If someone has (or might have) injured their spine, they should be checked regularly to see how much pain they are in. They should be given painkillers and have the dose adjusted until they are comfortable. The painkillers should be given before the person arrives at the hospital and while they are at the hospital, as needed. The painkillers should be injected or given through a drip (directly into a vein through a tube attached to a needle). If this isn't possible, they may be given as a spray up the nose.