The log roll technique is one of the most commonly used manoeuvres for moving a patient onto a Long Spine Board (LSB), as there is a current belief that it maintains adequate spine alignment, whether the patient is found in the supine, prone or lateral position.  It’s  popularity is due to the manoeuvre’s ability to: 

• Allows removal of the patient’s clothing from the anatomical region the patient is  lying.

• Allows the patient to be fully examined, including the region upon which the patient is lying.

• Allows the patient to be rapidly placed onto the LSB.

This gives the log roll the nickname ‘Flip-And-Strip’.  Difficulties tend to occur in using the log roll when injuries to the chest, pelvis, legs or arms are present.  In these cases alternative methods of moving the patient such as the Straddle Lift: Side (pg 30) or the use of a Scoop Stretcher should be sought. 

In recent times, the log roll has come under increasing scrutiny due to the amount of spinal movement that has been documented in studies.^1-3  Manoeuvres such as the Canadian Log roll or Haines manoeuvre that require an arm to be raised above the head are potentially dangerous to an unstable spinal fracture below the level of the cervical spine due to the thoracic / lumbar sagging,¹ and should therefore be avoided if it is at all possible. 

A second method of log rolling that places both arms across the chest also results in thoracic / lumbar sagging, but less that the previous methods.^1-2 

At present the safest techniques, based on current research, is for the patient’s arms to be fully extended and placed by the patient’s sided with the palms facing inwards.^{1, 3}   While some thoracic / lumbar sagging will occur, it is minimal and less that other methods currently use.

With this new technique, approximately 10% of people will complain of slight pain in the arms as the patient is rolled onto the LSB.  This pain is temporary with no lasting effects.⁴   To further assist with the proper alignment and in reducing spinal column movement during the manoeuvre, the patient should be requested to stiffen up until placed on the LSB.

Finally there is evidence that other methods of moving the patient onto the LSB i.e. the Straddle Lift: Side (pg 30) causes less movement on the healthy volunteer than the log roll.^4-5   Alternatively the use of a good quality rigid Scoop Stretcher will provide less movement than a log roll, if used in the correct setting.