Vertebral column deformities may persist after spinal cord injury, and they may be of bony, articular, soft tissue, vascular or neural elements or any combination of these. Displacement may become fixed at the time of the injury or may be latent and appear or worsen later. Spinal deformities may be missed unless proper radiological examination is performed in all patients in which they are suspected, and specialised radiological techniques may be necessary to reveal latent deformities, or the presence of disc protrusions and dural arachnoid tears. The significance of the spinal deformity has been discussed in relation to the spinal cord injury and the whole management of the patient. In certain patients neurological recovery will only ensue if adequate surgical techniques are instituted to decompress, re-align and stabilise the displaced structures. Neglectful or inadequate treatment may lead to persistence or deterioration of the neurological deficit or to the onset of late sequelae. See also: Discussion .