1. No standardized treatment can be adopted for complicated spinal injuries; the amount of corrective procedure necessary is dependent upon the surgeon's judgment in the individual case.
2. The combating of shock and the preservation of the patient's life take precedence over orthopaedic corrective measures.
3. The question of surgery for the alleviation of nerve injury must be decided for each case individually.
4. The restoration of anatomical position is not absolutely essential for the obtaining of a good functional result.
5. In those cases in which open operation is resorted to, it is advisable to fuse the fractured area at the time the original operation is performed.
6. Frequent turning and changing of the patient's position, as soon as adequate immobilization has been obtained, is of primary importance in avoiding complications, such as pressure sores, pulmonary changes, and ileus.