Module 1 Flashcards
A spinal cord injury usually begins with a _ _ _ to the _ that _ or _ vertebrae and destroys _.
A spinal cord injury usually begins with a SUDDEN TRAUMATIC BLOW to the SPINE that FRACTURES or DISLOCATES vertebrae and destroys AXONS
What are the three top three things that lead to a spinal cord injury?
Motor vehicle accidents
Falls
Violence
An _ can be used to determine what happened to the spine? What two types of imaging is used to determine what happened to the soft tissue?
An X-RAY- spine
CT scan and/or MRI- soft tissue
The _ _ is the caudal end of th spinal cord. The _ _ is distal to the _ _.
The CONUS MEDULLARIS is the caudal end of the spine. The CAUDA EQUINA is distal to the Conus Medullaris
What is the most common part of the spine to see a spinal cord injury? Most common level?
Cervical spine
C5
SCI’s to the thoracic usually require _ _ and are usually _ with a decreased chance of?
Usually require EXTREME FORCE and are usually COMPLETE
With a decreased chance of motor or sensory return
Lumbar spine SCI’s are usually?
Usually Incomplete
In general spino refers to? Spinal?
Spino- sensory
Spinal- motor
Two examples of secondary tissue destruction? Due to?
Ischemia and inflammation
Due to further compression on the spine and nerves
_ _ is a transient phenomenon that occurs after trauma to the spinal cord during which the spinal cord temporarily ceases to function below the level of the lesion. Typically?
SPINAL SHOCK
Typically resolves within 6 weeks
The neurological level of injury cannot be accurately determined until? However you should?
Cannot be accurately defined until the shock is resolved
However you should still evaluate and continue to assess and reassess
_ _ is the resumption of voluntary motor function or sensation that has been lost due as a result of SCI
NEUROLOGICAL RETURN
Return of _ _ is not neurological return. Because it is not?(2)
Return of REFLEXIVE FUNCTIONING is not neurological return
Because it is not: voluntary or reproducible
How should you answer the question ‘ Will I be able to walk again?’ How should you not? Depends on?
Should- let’s see what we can do to work toward that today, and we will get a better picture as you progress
Should not- give a yes or no answer
Depends on the patients motivation
What do you do if a patient has an “unrealistic goal”?
Try to redirect with helping them to establish shorter term goals
With _ _ _, most damage to the cord is caused by the sequelae of initial trauma. Lasts from? Destruction can progress?
With SECONDARY TISSUE DAMAGE most damage is. . .
Lasts from several days to weeks
Destruction can progress up or down the cord from the site of injury
15-30 seconds of _ can lead to irreversible damage
15-30 seconds of ANOXIA can lead to irreversible damage.
What are the five grades of classification for SCI? Which is most severe? Least severe? Incomplete?
A-E
Most severe: A (complete)
Least severe: E (normal)
Incomplete: B, C, D
What classification grade is being described: No motor or sensory function is preserved in the sacral segments S4-S5?
Complete- A
What classification is being described: sensory but not motor function is preserved below the neurological level and includes the sacral segments (S4-S5). They can _ but _ _ bowel movements.
Grade B- Incomplete
They can FEEL but CAN’T CONTROL bowel movements
What level of the spine, if damaged will effect bowel movements?
S4- S5
Which classification is being described: Motor function is preserved below the neurological level and more than half of the key muscles below the neurological level have a muscle grade of less than 3.
Grade C- Incomplete
In the grade C- Incomplete classification: greater than _ of key muscles have a less than / MMT grade.
Greater than 50% of key muscle have a less than 3/5 MMT grade
Which classification is being described: Motor function is preserved below the neurological level and at less half the key muscles below the neurological level have a muscle grade of 3 or more.
Grade D- incomplete
With classification Grade D: 50% of key muscles _ _ or _ _ 3/5 MMT grade.
50% of key muscles GREATER THAN or EQUAL TOO 3/5 MMT grade.
The grade E classification: motor and sensory function _ _. Only valid for?
Motor and sensory function ARE NORMAL.
Only valid for people who have had a spinal cord injury and progressed to ‘normal’
_ is paralysis of all 4 extremities and trunk resulting from cervical spine lesion
QUADRIPLEGIA (TETRAPLEGIA)
_ is paralysis of part of trunk and both lower extremities from thoracic, lumbar, or Cauda Equina lesion.
PARAPLEGIA
How do you classify the motor level? Sensory level? Neuro level?
Motor- most caudal level of spinal cord with normal muscle function BILATERALLY
Sensory- “ “ “ “ “ “ “ normal sensory function “
Neuro- “ “ “ “ “ “ “ normal motor and sensory function bilaterally
What is the exception for classifying a neurological level: SCI’s that are within levels _ _ using _ (in this case levels are presumed to be _ to _ level).
SCI’S that are within levels NOT TESTABLE using MMT (in this case levels are presumed to be EQUAL TO SENSORY level)
Which levels are not readily tested with MMT? (3 sections)
C1-C4
T2-L1
S2- S5
What is used as a reference point for sensory testing?
Cheek
Key Muscles: C5? C6? C7? C8? T1?
C5- biceps brachi C6- Extensor carpi Radialis longus (ECRL) C7- triceps C8- Flexor digitorum profundus T1- Abductor digiti minimi
Key muscles: L2? L3? L4? L5? S1?
L2- Iliopsoas L3- quadriceps L4- tibialis anterior L5- Extensor hallucis longus S1- Gastroc/ Soleus
A complete injury is no _ or _ _ in the _ _ _. An incomplete injury is?
A complete injury is no SENSORY OR MOTOR FUNCTION in the LOWEST SACRAL SEGMENTS
An incomplete injury is sensory and/ or motor function below the neurological level including sensory and/ or motor of S4-S5
_ of _ _ are sensory and/ or motor function below the neurological level excluding S4-S5
ZONES OF PARTIAL PRESERVATION are sensory and/ or motor function below the neurological level excluding S4-S5
With zones of partial preservation- _ and _ caudal to neurological level that remain _ _. Only applies to?
DERMATOMES AND MYOTOMES caudal to the neurological level that remain PARTIALLY INNERVATED.
Only applies to COMPLETE INJURIES
Which syndrome is being described: loss of motor function below the level of the lesion, loss of pain and temperatures below the level of lesion? _ is preserved. Usually due to?
ANTERIOR CORD SYNDROME
PROPRIOCEPTION is preserved
Usually due to FLEXION INJURY
Posterior cord syndrome: loss of _ and _ _ _ (aka _) below the level of the lesion, and a _ _ _ _ pattern is typical.
Loss of PROPRIOCEPTION and 2 POINT DISCRIMINATION (aka EPICRITIC) below the level of the lesion, and a WIDE-BASE STEPPAGE GAIT pattern is typical.
Posterior cord syndrome: preservation of _ _, sense of _ and _ _. Example? It is _, damage occurs to the _ _ _.
Preservation of MOTOR FUNCTION, sense of PAIN and LIGHT TOUCH.
Example: CEREBELLAR TUMOR
It is RARE, damage occurs to the POSTERIOR SPINAL INJURY
Which syndrome is being described: Lesion involving the center of the spinal cord, sacral sensory sparing, greater motor weakness in UE than LE. Variations in sensory loss below the level of the lesion.
CENTRAL CORD SYNDROME
Central cord syndrome is more predominant in the _ _, usually caused by _ injury. Ex: _ _ from prolonged restriction of _.
More predominant in the OLDER POPULATION, usually caused by HYPEREXTENSION injury.
Ex: CERVICAL STENOSIS from prolonged restriction of NERVES.
In central cord syndrome patients will have _ _, most commonly _ _.
Patients will have BLADDER DSYFUNCTION, most commonly URINARY RETENTION.
_ _ syndrome has the opposite symptoms of _ _ syndrome.
ANTERIOR CORD syndrome has the opposite symptoms of POSTERIOR CORD syndrome.
_ _ syndrome is most often caused by a penetration injury (gun shot, knife, wound, MVA).
BROWN SEQUARD syndrome
Brown Sequard syndrome- Ipsilateral symptoms include: _ loss in corresponding _ _; severe _ and _ deficits; _ below the lesion; lack of _ _ (has _ and positive _ sign); loss of _, _, and _ sense.
- SENSORY loss in corresponding DERMATOME LEVEL
- severe MOTOR AND PROPRIOCEPTIVE deficits
- SPASTICITY below the level of lesion
- lack of SUPERFICIAL REFLEXES (has CLONUS and positive BABINSKI sign)
- loss of PROPRIOCEPTION, KINESTHESIA, and VIBRATORY SENSE
Brown Sequard Syndrome- contralateral symptoms: severe loss of sensitivity to _ _ and _; loss of _ and _ in _ _ _ below the level of the lesion.
- Severe loss of sensitivity to PIN PRICK and TEMPERATURE
- Loss of PAIN and TEMPERATURE in SEVERAL DERMATOME SEGMENTS below the level of the lesion
Of the various syndromes which are most likely to walk? (2)
Posterior Cord Syndrome
Central Cord Syndrome
Which syndrome is being described: flaccid paralysis of LE, areflexic bowel and bladder, sacral reflexes may or may not be retained. Has high patient _.
Conus Medularis
Has high patient VARIABILITY
Which syndrome is being described: flaccid paralysis of LE, and areflexic bowel and bladder.
Cauda equina syndrome
Both _ _ and _ _ have flaccid paralysis of LE, and areflexic bladder and bowel.
Both CONUS MEDULLARIS and CAUDA EQUINA have flaccid . . .
Most spinal injuries are a combination of _ and _.
Combination of UMN AND LMN
Features of UMN injury: muscle _ and _; _ reflexia ; _; _ sign; possible _ _.
- Muscle WEAKNESS and ATROPHY
- HYPER reflexia
- CLONUS
- BABINSKI sign
- possible SPASTIC PARALYSIS
LMN features: _ _; profound muscle _; muscle _; absent _; _ on EMG.
- FLACCID PARALYSIS
- profound muscle ATROPHY
- muscle FASICULATIONS
- absent REFLEXES
- FIBRILLATIONS on EMG
As spinal shock resolves there will be _ initially followed by _.
As spinal shock resolves there will be FLACCIDITY initially followed by SPASTICITY.
_ is more common in cervical, upper thoracic lesions and incomplete injuries. Is _ _; _ syndrome. What scale is most commonly used?
SPASTICITY is more common in cervical, upper thoracic lesions and incomplete injuries.
Is VELOCITY DEPENDENT, UMN syndrome.
Modified Ashworth scale is most commonly used to measure spasticity
Benefits of spasticity: helps maintain _ _, increases muscle _, increases _ _, can assist with /, strengthens _/ _ and reduces risk for _. Can help with _ _.
Helps maintain MUSCLE BULK Increases muscle TONE Increases METABOLIC REQUIREMENTS Can assist with BOWEL/ BLADDER Strengthens BONE/ MUSCLE and reduces risk for OSTEOPORSIS Can help with FUNCTIONAL MOBILITY
Problems with spasticity: causes _, disrupts _, interferes with -, limits voluntary _ _, affects _ and _, contribute to _ _, and trigger unwanted _/ _ _.
Causes PAIN, disrupts SLEEP Interferes with SELF- CARE Limits voluntary JOINT MOVEMENT Affects POSTURE AND BALANCE Contribute to SKIN BREAKDOWN Can trigger unwanted BOWEL/ BLADDER RELEASE
What is the PT goal for patients with spasticity?
Improve Quality of life (QOL)
A _ _ encourages and increase in weight bearing and helps reduce spasticity. Can also help increase _ _, increases _ _, and can help with _ _.
A TILT TABLE encourages and increase in . . . .
Can also help increase BONE DENSITY, increases SOCIAL INTERACTION, and can help with PERCEPTUAL IMPROVEMENTS
When using modalities as a treatment for spasticity you need to keep _ in mind. Will it _ _, is it _?
You need to keep GOALS in mind.
Will it INCREASE FUNCTION, is it MEASURABLE
Daily _ and _ will only affect in short term, with limited carryover.
Daily ROM AND STRETCHING will only affect short term with limited carryover.
What is the first line of intervention to help with spasticity? Second line (2)?
Pharmaceuticals:
- 1st line: BACLOFEN
- 2nd line: GABAPENTIN and BENZODIAZEPINES (Valium)
Why is baclofen the most commonly used drug for spasticity? Indicated for spasticity of _ _.
Because it INTERFERES LEAST with DAILY FUNCTION
Indicated for spasticity of SPINAL ORIGIN
Weakness, sedation, confusion, hypotension, nausea, and dizziness are _ _ of _.
. . . Are ADVERSE EFFECTS of BACLOFEN
Seizures, fevers, hallucinations and spasticity are _ _ _ from baclofen. Therefore PT should?
Are SUDDEN WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS from baclofen.
PT should have conversation with Doctor if patient starts to wean themselves off or quitting
Gabapentin is beneficial with both _ and _ _.
Beneficial with both SPINAL and CEREBRAL SPASTICITY
Benzodiazepines can be combined with _, can cause _ and _. Can be used with _ _ _ and _ _.
Can be combined with BACLOFEN, can cause SLEEPINESS and DROWSINESS.
Can be used with SPINAL CORD INJURY and MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
What is a common method of administration of with seizure medication? Is a _ of medicine on the _ of the _. Medicine is pumped through a _ _ _ directly to the fluid surrounding the _ _.
INTRATHECAL pump
Is a RESERVOIR medicine on the OUTSIDE of the BODY
Medicine pumped through a SMALL CATHETER TUBE directly to the fluid surrounding he SPINAL CORD.
Disadvantages of intrathecal pump: requires _, is _, and the tubing can become _ or _. Risks? (4)
Requires SURGERY
Is EXPENSIVE
And the tubing can become KINKED OR DISCONNECTED
Risks (I POW)
-infection, pump dsyfunction, overdose, and withdrawal symptoms
Advantages of the intrathecal pump: medicine is sent directly to _ _ (more _ than oral dosage), dosage can _ _, _ medication is needed which can _ _, reservoir can be _ _ as needed.
- Medicine is sent directly to NERVE CELLS (more DIRECT than oral dosage)
- dosage can BE ADJUSTED
- LESS medication is needed which can DECREASE SIDE-EFFECTS
- Reservoir can be REFILLED EASILY as needed.
What are 4 options to help with spasticity if Baclofen doesn’t work?
COAT
- contracture release
- osteotomy (remove small wedge from a bone to reposition/ shape)
- arthrodesis
- tendon transfer (moves the attachment point of a spastic muscle)