Ch 7 - SCI: Pain, Pressure Ulcer Flashcards
What is nociceptive pain?
From bone, ligaments, muscle, skin, other organ
What is neuropathic pain?
From peripheral or central neural tissue damage
What is the MC joint affected by pain in SCI?
Shoulder d/t WB and overuse syndromes
What are risk factors of shoulder pain in SCI?
– Tetraplegia > paraplegia
– ↑ with time from injury, older age
– Manual WC use and transfers; overuse; overhead activities; inflexibility; muscle imbalances
Which muscles should be stretched in SCI patients with shoulder pain?
Anterior shoulder, adductors, and external rotators
Which muscles should be strengthened in SCI patients with shoulder pain?
Posterior shoulder girdle muscles (rotator cuff, shoulder stabilizers [trapezius, rhomboids, levator scapulae, serratus anterior] and adductors
What is neuropathic pain in SCI correlated with?
Increasing age at injury
Peaks 30-39 age group and then again >age 50
What is the only medication approved for neuropathic pain in SCI?
Pregabalin
What percentage of patients develop UE compression neuropathies in SCI?
2/3 of patients
What are UE compression neuropathies in SCI correlated with?
Increases with the length of time from injury
MC median and ulnar neuropathies
What is the incidence of CTS in paraplegia?
21-65%
What is the most common cause of progressive myelopathy after a SCI?
Posttraumatic syringomyelia
What is the MC presenting symptom of posttraumatic syringomyelia?
Pain: Aching or burning, often worse with coughing, sneezing, straining, and usually in the sitting rather than in the supine position
What is the earliest sign of posttraumatic syringomyelia?
Ascending loss of DTRs
What is the gold standard for diagnosis of posttraumatic syringomyelia?
MRI with gadolinium