Neuromuscular and spinal cord disorders Flashcards
What is the difference between atrophy and dystrophy?
Atrophy is caused by a group of diseases that cause progressive degeneration of the spinal nerves and muscle control is lost. Dystrophy is caused by a group of diseases that cause the progressive degeneration of the muscles caused by genetic defects.
What is a disorder of the neuromuscular junction?
Myasthenia Gravis
How do peripheral nerve disorders occur?
Spinal cord injuries and neuropathies
What are the primary spinal cord injuries (etiology)?
- cord compression
- ischemia
- transection
- torsion or traction
What is ischemia of the spinal cord?
lack of blood blow to the spinal cord due to atherosclerosis or blockage of the arteries
What is transection of the spinal cord?
When the spinal cord is cut
What is the torsion or traction of the spinal cord?
is the twisting or pulling of the spinal cord
What are the secondary spinal cord injuries due to?
cellular response?
What are the secondary spinal cord injuries?
- ischemia
- increased intracellular calcium
- inflammation
What is a calcium cascade?
release of intracellular enzymes
What are the steps of a calcium cascade/
- protein is broken down
- free radicals are formed
- lipid peroxidation
- fragmentation of dna
- nuclear breakdown
C1 spinal injury
Quadriplegia, little or no control of the head, ventilator dependent
C2-3 spinal injury
Quadriplegia, some neck control, ventilator dependent most of the time
c4 spinal injury
decreased ventilatory capacity but may not require mechanical ventilation.
c5 spinal injury
normal head, neck, shoulder and diaphragm control, some elbow movement
c6 spinal injury
partial control of the wrist
c7 spinal injury
full elbow extension, wrist flexion and some finger control
t1 spinal injury
good finger control, can live independently
t2-12 spinal injury
Paraplegia, full upper extremity control, some trunk control
Lumbar spinal injury
Full trunk control, some control of hips, knees and ankles, may be able to walk with braces
sacral spinal injury
Some foot control, some bowel and bladder function.
What are the Spinal cord injury complications?
- Autonomic dysreflexia
- Neurogenic shock
- Respiratory failure
- Effects of immobility (pulmonary infections, urinary infections, thrombus, wounds, contractures)
- Changes in bowel and bladder function
- Sexual dysfunction
- Chronic pain
- Death
What is autonomic dysreflexia?
a massive sympathetic response that can cause headaches, hypertension, tachycardia, seizures, stroke, and death; most commonly associated with injuries above T6
What is neurogenic shock?
an abnormal vasomotor response secondary to disruption of sympathetic impulses
