Approach to managing spinal cord compression or injury in palliative care

The most common type of spinal cord complication in palliative care is malignant spinal cord compression—see Malignant spinal cord compression in palliative care for management advice.

Patients with a traumatic spinal cord injury may also require palliative care because of deterioration soon after presentation or despite initial critical care. In these circumstances, further deterioration and death is likely—see Preparing for the last days of life.