Logrolling (medicine)

Log-rolling onto a spine board

In medicine, in particular, in emergency medicine, the log roll or logrolling is a maneuver used to move a patient without flexing the spinal column. Patient's legs are stretched, the head is held, to immobilize the neck.[1]

Some sources recommend patient's arms crossed over the chest,[1] while others suggest that to minimize the amount of lateral spinal displacement the arms must be stretched along the sides, with palms resting on the thighs.[2][3]

After that the patient is carefully rolled in the desired direction without twisting or bending the body.

Log-rolling

Typically logrolling into a supine position is used for transport of a casualty. Other cases include logrolling on a side, e.g., to facilitate vomiting.,[3] or from side to side, for medical examination.[4]

  1. ^ a b "Log roll", Mosby's Medical Dictionary, 8th edition. © 2009, Elsevier.
  2. ^ Roberts, J.R.; Hedges, J.R. (2009). Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine. Elsevier Health Sciences. ISBN 9781437727500. Retrieved 2017-01-09.
  3. ^ a b Weiss, E.; Jacobs, M. (2012). Marine Medicine: A Comprehensive Guide, Adventure Medical Kits, 2nd Edition. Mountaineers Books. ISBN 9781594856617. Retrieved 2017-01-09.
  4. ^ Schepsis, A.A.; Busconi, B.D. (2006). Sports Medicine. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN 9780781756532. Retrieved 2017-01-09.