10-06 Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Flashcards
1
Q
Spinal Cord Injury (Traumatic/Non-Traumatic)
A
- Traumatic SCI is most common
- 39% of SCI is non-traumatic
- Non-traumatic not caused by accidents - Thrombus, Embolism, RA, Diseases, Vascular issues
2
Q
Common causes of SCI
A
- MVA (40%)
- Falls (27.9%)
- Violence (15%)
- Sports (8%)
- Men > Women (3.5:1): Men are more adventuresome, take more risks
- Average age: 16-30 yo
3
Q
SC Anatomy
A
- Spinal nerves exit below corresponding level of spine (exception is cervical, exit above)
- 31 pairs of spinal nerves (8 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, 1 coccygeal)
- SC ends at T12
- SC tapers into conus medullaris at lower border of T1
- Cauda Equina (LMN Lesion)
4
Q
Lesion
A
- Loss of sensation and/or motor function below segmental level of injury (ex: C6 SCI = loss of C6 motor and sensation at C6 and below C6
5
Q
Cervical Nerve Root Innervation
A
- C1-C3: Facial muscles
- C4: Diaphragm and traps
- C5: Delts
- C6: Wrist extensors
- C7: Triceps
- C8-T1: Hands and fingers
6
Q
Thoracic Nerve Root Innervation
A
- T2-T8: Chest Muscles
- T6-T12: Abdominals
7
Q
Lumbar Nerve Root Innervation
A
- L1-S1: LE muscles
- S1-S2 hip and foot muscles
- S3 bowel and bladder
8
Q
Key Muscles
A
- Elbow Flexion (Biceps Brachii @ C5)
- Wrist Extension (Extensor Digitorum @ C6)
- Elbow Extension (Triceps Brachii @ C7)
- Finger Flexion - Distal (Flexor Digitorum Profundus @ C8)
- Finger Abduction (Dorsal Interossei @ T1)
- Hip Flexion (Iliopsoas @ L2)
- Knee Extension (Quadriceps @ L3)
- Ankle DF (Tibialis Anterior @ L4)
- Great Toe Extension (Extensor Hallicus Longus @ L5)
- Ankle PF (Gastrocnemius @ S1)
9
Q
Spinal Tracts
A
- Tracts either cross at SC or brain
- SC cross section with areas/tracts labeled (pain, temp, proprioception, vibration, motor, LE)
- Autonomic (fight or flight) system, located at horns of T6 and above, innervation to systems, vitals
10
Q
Posterior Column (Dorsal Column/Medial Lemniscal Tracts (DCML)
A
- Fasciculus Gracilis + Cuneatus = Posterior Column
- FG = Proprioception (light touch) @ LE
- FC = Proprioception (light touch) @ UE
- Ascending tracts, cross at the brain (thalamus)
11
Q
Corticospinal Tract
A
- Only descending motor tract to muscles
- Crosses at the brain (medulla), possibly explains deficiency opposite side
12
Q
Spinothalamic Tract
A
- Pain and temperature (and light touch)
- Crosses at segmental SC level
- Still ascends 1-2 levels before crossing
13
Q
Shared tracts
A
- Pain and temp on same tract (Spinothalamic)
14
Q
Duplicated tracts
A
- DCML crosses at brain, spinal thalamic crosses at SC
- Light touch spared with unilateral SCI
- Duplication makes light touch not a good sensation to test
15
Q
Tetraplegia (Quadraplegia)
A
- Cervical lesion
- Paralysis of all 4 extremities and trunk
- Affected areas include respiratory muscles at level C2-C4
16
Q
Paraplegia
A
- Thoracic, lumbar or cauda equina lesion
- LE and trunk paralysis (bad postural control)