L9: Spinal Trauma Flashcards
Anatomy of Vertebral Column
Anatomy of Vertebral Column
- Lordosis in β¦.
- Cervical & Lumbar
Anatomy of Vertebral Column
- Kyphosis in β¦β¦..
Thoracic & Sacral
Cervical Vertebra
- Characters
- Vertebral bodies (lesser weight bearing).
- Extensive joint surfaces allow greater Range of Movement βROMβ
Cervical Vertebra
- Movements allowed
- Rotation
- Flexion
- Extension
Thoracic Vertebra
- Characters
- Rib bearing vertebrae.
- Designed to remain stiff
Thoracic Vertebra
- Movements allowed
- Minimal Flexion & Extension
Lumbar Vertebra
- Characters
- Weight-bearing vertebrae
- Houses cauda equine
Lumbar Vertebra
- Movements allowed
Minimal Rotation
Sacral Vertebra
- Characters
Transmits weight of body to the pelvis
Sacral Vertebra
- Movements Allowed
No Motion
Spinal nerve roots Exit through the intervertebral foramen β¦β¦.
- C1- C7
Above
Spinal nerve roots Exit through the intervertebral foramen β¦β¦.
- C8 - S5
Below
Spinal cord ends below lower border of β¦..
L1.
What is cauda equina formed of?
- Formed by lumbosacral nerve root in the spinal canal before exiting.
- Cauda equina is below L1.
Level of Cauda Equina
if the vertebra level is β¦β¦, Then the cord Level is β¦β¦
if the vertebra level is C2 - C7, Then the cord Level is β¦β¦
Add 1+
if the vertebra level is T1 - T6 , Then the cord Level is β¦β¦
Add 2+
if the vertebra level is T7 - T9, Then the cord Level is β¦β¦
Add 3+
if the vertebra level is T 10, Then the cord Level is β¦β¦
L1, L2
if the vertebra level is T11, Then the cord Level is β¦β¦
L3, L4
if the vertebra level is T12, Then the cord Level is β¦β¦
L5
if the vertebra level is L1, Then the cord Level is β¦β¦
Sacrococcygeal Segments
Spinal Cord Nucleui
Spinal nerve cells: ventral (motor), dorsal (sensory):
- Sensory cells in dorsal horn.
- Motor cells in Ventral horn.
Mid Dorsal Spinal Cord & Neural Canal Space
Complete Lesion
Neurlogical Recovery in cauda equina
Unpredictable
Denis Column Model
Denis Column Model
- Anterior Column
- Anterior longitudinal ligament.
- Anterior annular ligament.
- Anterior half of VB.
Denis Column Model
- Middle Column
- Posterior long. Lig.
- Posterior annular ligament.
- Posterior half of VB.
Denis Column Model
- Posterior Column
- Ligamentum flavum.
- Superior & Interspinous lig.
- Intertransverse capsular lig.
- Neural arch.
- Pedicle & spinous process.
What is an Unstable Fracture?
Middle column
+
either anterior or Posterior column is damaged.
Rupture of interspinous ligament
- Characters
- Associated with avulsion of spinous process.
- Unstable spin
- Further flexion β increase neurological injury
Mechanisms (Causes) of Spinal Trauma
- Direct Injury
- Indirect Injury
Mechanisms (Causes) of Spinal Trauma
- Direct Injury
- Penetrating injuries to the spine: e.g., firearms and knives.
Mechanisms (Causes) of Spinal Trauma
- Indirect Injury
- Most common cause of significant spinal damage.
Indirect njury
- Most important spinal cord injury indicator is the β¦β¦
Mechanism
When to suspect Spinal Injury?
Sites of spinal cord injury
Injuries of the vertebral column tend to cluster in β¦β¦.
Neurological level is at β¦β¦
lowest segment with normal motor & sensory function.
Why is level of spinal injury level hard to determine?
- Muscles receive motor nerve supply from more than one level.
- Dermatomes have imprecise boundaries.
Dx of Spinal Injury
- Clinically
- Radiologically
Dx of Spinal Injury
- Clinically
Dx of Spinal Injury
- Inspection & Palpation
Occiput to Coccyx
A. Tenderness.
B. Gap or Step.
C. Edema and bruising.
D. Spasm of associated muscles.
Dx of Spinal Injury
- Neurological Assessment
A. Sensation.
B. Motor function.
C. Reflexes.
D. Rectal examination.
Sensory Assessment in Spinal Trauma
- C5
Sensory Assessment in Spinal Trauma
- C6
Sensory Assessment in Spinal Trauma
- C7
Sensory Assessment in Spinal Trauma
- C8
Sensory Assessment in Spinal Trauma
- T1
Sensory Assessment in Spinal Trauma
- T3
Sensory Assessment in Spinal Trauma
- T4
Sensory Assessment in Spinal Trauma
- T8
Sensory Assessment in Spinal Trauma
- T10
Sensory Assessment in Spinal Trauma
- T12
Sensory Assessment in Spinal Trauma
- L2
Sensory Assessment in Spinal Trauma
- L3
Sensory Assessment in Spinal Trauma
- L4
Sensory Assessment in Spinal Trauma
- L5
Sensory Assessment in Spinal Trauma
- S1
Sensory Assessment in Spinal Trauma
- S2
Sensory Assessment in Spinal Trauma
- S3
Sensory Assessment in Spinal Trauma
- Grading
Motor Assessment in Spinal Trauma